Ypres Memorial Volume.
51
The Ypres Times.
The Committee regret to have to announce the fact that the original editor of this
work, Lieut.-Colonel Beckles Willson, has been unavoidably obliged through pressure of
other work, to abandon it. They must, therefore, give up the idea of producing it at
an early date. On receiving this intelligence, however, they immediately decided to make
a fresh effort and Lieut.-General Sir William Pulteney, Lieut.-Colonel J. Murray', and
Miss Beatrix Brice have gladly accepted the task.
The original scheme has been revised to suit the altered circumstances, as so many
divisional and other histories have appeared since it was first mooted, and it was felt that
the great subject of Ypres demanded a very distinctive memorial book, which should be the
epitome of all that made Ypres the glorious wprd it isa book that should be the story of
soldiers written for soldiers. It was therefore determined that every regiment should be
asked to contribute in order that the material should be absolutely accurate, and of
personal interest to even' man in the army. This idea has developed into the Ypres Book
of Valour as outlined in the following letter, which has been cordially approved and signed
by P.M. the Earl of Ypres, F.M. Lord Plumer and General Sir Charles Harington
Sir,In furtherance of the aims of the Ypres League, we propose to publish a book in the nature
of a Book of Valour of Ypres.
The aim is to perpetuate the tradition of the four years' defence of the Salient as an ideal, and a
source of inspiration for all time.
We wish this book to be a record of the noblest achievements of the Army in the defence of Ypres.
and to this end we are asking each Regiment to contribute a short account of the feat of arms of which
they feel most proud.
We earnestly hope that you will sympathise with the scheme and that, if it appeals to you, you will
give us your valuable help by bringing your Regiment into co-operation with usand by sending us
an account of the episode you wish perpetuated.
We have the promise of literary help from some of our foremost writers, so that we can either print
the record as received, or have it re-written, if a Unit is shy of literary expression.
The events will be linked to the period to which they belong. It may therefore be necessary to>
divide feats of Regiments where more than one has been rendered. This is necessary to ensure a
Historical whole.
The book will be in no sense a scrap book, but will include some relevant verse, etc. It will have
first-rate illustrations and we are already promised original drawings by distinguished artists who
served in the Salient. There will be a specially designed page at the end for those who wish to keep
it as a personal memorial to a relative or friend. Room f»r a portrait and record of service is allowed
for.
We feel that such a book will be a splendid memorial both in the Regiments and in the Families
of the Soldiers, and that it will give expression to our thought that Ypres does not stand for a
ruined Town but for a very high ideal built up by the lives of men.
Obviously our success will depend entirely on the response of the Regiments, and we beg for your
encouragement and support by securing this unique material for us.
Yours very truly,
(Signed) YPRES, F.M.
PLUMER, F.M.
C. HARINGTON, General.
To the Officer Commanding the Regiment.
This letter has only just been circulated, and the enthusiastic response we have
already received from a number of regiments has assured the success of the book. We
hope that even- member of the Ypres League will interest himself in his regiment's
account.
One note of warning is necessary about the Book of Valour. The book is meant to
be an absolutely true record, without fairy tale or self-advertisement. We are confident
