FAREWELL DINNER TO MAJOR RAMSDALE.
The Ypres Times.
55
that the traditions of the Salient and Second Army will be carried out in this respect by
the writers appointed by Regiments. Two thousand words are allowed to regiments
for their episodes, and 4,000 words to departmental corps.
The book to original subscribers will cost one guinea.
New subscribers will pay one guinea per volume in case, as is anticipated, two volume0
are necessary.
The original scheme having fallen through, the old subscribers are, of course, entitled
to withdraw their deposits if they wish. Doubtless they will do no such thing but, mindful
of the meaning of Ypres, will assist those who have consolidated the position to accomplish
a move forward and to complete one of the aims of the League.
An interesting event took place on January 3rd at the Restaurant Frascati, Oxford
Street, London, when a farewell dinner, arranged by Capt. F. H. Davies, was given by
the London County Committee of the Ypres League to their late chairman, Major D.
Ramsdale, on the eve of his departure to South Africa.
Major Ramsdale was a member of the Executive Committee of the League, and
took a keen interest in its work, so that when the London County Committee was formed
he was unanimously appointed its first chairman. His presence will be greatly missed,
but he leaves with the best wishes of all.
Capt. C. Alliston, who presided, in the absence of Major J. R. Ainsworth-Davis,
proposing the toast of Our Guest," said that Major Ramsdale had done a wonderful
work for the Ypres League, and during the time he had been connected with the League
he had given of his best. The Major was going to South Africa and was carrying with
him the best wishes of all that he should have a very successful time there and good health
to enjoy it. Mrs. Ramsdale (mother of Major Ramsdale), who was also present, had always
been associated in the work of the League, and they were sure that Mrs. Ramsdale was
very proud of her son.
Major Waggett, D.S.O., supporting the toast, said it was a great privilege to be allowed
to do so, because he knew he was expressing the feelings of deep affection which they had
for Major Ramsdale, who had thought a lot and done a lot. Major Ramsdale was a man
of faith and had the faculty of being a leader of men. He was glad that he was going to
South Africa, because it was the place for patriotic Englishmen and the Major s qualities
were of the right type that were needed by Englishmen going abroad to the different parts
of the British Empire to represent the Mother Country.
Major Ramsdale, in replying to the toast, said that first of all he had to thank, above
everybody else, his mother for any good that he had done, for it was to her that he owed
everything. In thanking the committee for the honour given him he remarked that he
had "not done all he should have liked to do. It. had been a pleasure, but it had been a
duty which he owed to those who had fought and died, and whose memory he cherished.
He appreciated Major Waggett's remarks, because some people seemed to be afraid of going
abroad. England had a very warm place in the heart of the South Africans, and they
welcomed us, and that was a great start for those going out. He hoped soon to establish
a branch of the Ypres League out in that part of the Transvaal to which he was going.
In conclusion he spoke of the work being done by the League and pleaded for the continued
support of all, and also for an increase in its membership to further the objects for which
it was formed.
