 Downstairs, Nanton opened his doors every night to an average of thirty men at one time from The Royal Regina Rifles while they were in training at Winnipeg.They were served sandwiches and cocoa, and were free to enjoy the use of the entertainments that he had provided for them which included two bowling alleys, a shooting gallery, use of his full-sized English billiard table, ping pong and tables for Bridge.In 1917, Sir Augustus and Lady Nanton converted their summer house on the Lake of the Woods into a convalescent home for wounded soldiers returning from Europe.