LONDON COUNTY BRANCH RE=UNION.
56
The Ypres Times.
Owing to lack of space in the last issue of The Ypres Times the London County
Committee were not able to give a full report of the Re-union and Smoking Concert held
at the Cannon Street Hotel in October last, though we were able to publish a photograph
of the event which, however, by an unfortunate error got credited to the Sheffield Branch.
The event, which was the first held in connection with the London County Com
mittee, was a great success, a number of intending visitors being unable to obtain
accommodation
Major-General Sir H. Uniacke, K.C.M.G., C.B., presided, and the principal guest
was the Belgian Ambassador (Baron Moncheur), the company including the Viscountess
Falmouth, Lady Margaret Boscawen, the Hon. Pamela Boscawen, Miss Biddulph,
Brigadier-General Cunliffe Owen, C.M.G., C.B., Lt.-Col. Maton, C.B., C.V.O. (Belgian
Military Attaché), Colonel Barry, Major Waggett, D.S.O. (Vice-Chairman Executive
Committee), Colonel G. T. Brierley, C.M.G., D.S.O., and Major D. Ramsdale (Chairman
of London County Committee).
The Chairman announced that a telegram of loyal devotion had been sent to His
Majesty, and read the following reply
"The King has received with much pleasure the loyal greetings which you have
addressed to His Majesty from the members of the Ypres League assembled together
to-night for their first Re-union, with the Belgian Ambassador as their distinguished
guest. In thanking them for their message the King, as Patron-in-Chief, hopes that all
present will spend an enjoyable evening together.Equerry." (Cheers.)
General Sir Charles Harington telegraphed: "So sorry to be unable to attend
to-night. Wish you all a very happy evening. Very glad to be back." (Cheers.)
A splendid programme had been arranged by the London County Committee, and
the items were greatly appreciated by the audience. Colonel Brierley made a few remarks
to those present briefly outlining the history of the League, and its aims, and also showing
what was being done at the present time by the League. He made a strong appeal to
extend still further the interest and good work of the League by urging all members to-
teU others what we were doing and influencing them to become members of the
Ypres League.
The whole evening was thoroughly enjoyed by those present and all came away
with the thought that this Re-union was to be but the beginning of an annual event
which would bring closer together those interested in the extension of the good work.
The London County Committee wish to thank all those who kindly came forward
to help as stewards, programme sellers, etc., and also other friends who by their
presence at the Re-union helped to make it such a success. They hope that members
and friends will note the special efforts being made by the London County Committee
during the present year, of which notice will appear in The Ypres Times from time to
time, and kindly give them the same support in the future as in the past, which will
greatly encourage them in their undertakings.
AN INTERRUPTED STORY.
A buoyant soldier was relating his experiences
in the Great War to a prim old lady in a railway
carriage who had lent a sympathetic ear to his
conversation on the changeable character of the
English climate.
I remember it was just such a black, windy
day as this when our battalion moved into
Wipers
Ypres," corrected the old lady.
The soldier paused for a moment in his recital-
and then continued briskly
And after leaving Wipers
Ypres," corrected the old lady again.
The soldier glanced sharply at his aged listener,
and went onAs I was saying, after we were
forced to leave Wipers
Ypres," corrected the old lady once more.
This was too much for the soldier, who broke
out, Tor, missus, but you ain't arf got hiccups."
