BRANCH NOTES.
58
The Vpres Times.
N.W. LONDON BRANCH.
A jolly and successful Reunion took place on
March jth at 30, High Street, Camden Town, by
kind permission of the local British Legion Branch.
An interesting programme of songs, followed by
a dance was thoroughly enjoyed by members and
their friends.
The Chairman, Capt. C. Alliston, in addressing
a few words to those present, drew attention to
the good work of the Ypres League and appealed
for new members.
The Mayor of St. Pancras not only eulogised
the work of the X.W. Branch in a hearty letter,
but also enclosed a cheque for a guinea to the
funds.
Amongst those who supported the Chairman
were Major Waggett, Major Ramsdale, Capt.
Davies, -Mr. Aubrey Herbert, Mr. Boughev, Mr.
Long and Mr. Schlieger.
SHEFFIELD AND DISTRICT BRANCH.
The Sheffield and District Branch held a
successful and pleasant social evening at the
King's Head Hotel, Sheffield, on Thursday even
ing, January 31st. The function was initiated to
enable members to gather together and go over
old times and discuss all matters of interest one
with another, which is not possible at the more
formal Reunion dinners held each year round about
Ypres Da}\ It is hoped in time to work this up to a
proper social evening after the style of a smoking
concert. Those present were unanimous in their
appreciation of the opportunity of talking things
over, and asked for a quarterly gathering on the
same lines. Many maps brought down by in
dividual members caused much discussion, as
various points arose, and an altogether happy
evening was spent.
Owing to the success of this first social evening
arrangements will be made to hold another such
gathering at the King's Head Hotel, Change Alley,
Sheffield, at 7 p.m., Thursday evening, April 24th.
Any alteration in the date, time or place will be in
serted under Public Notices in the Sheffield Daily
Telegraph and Sheffield Independent of Saturday,
April 19th. It is hoped that all our members who
can possibly attend will come down. The affair
is quite informal and is a splendid opportunity to
have a chat about things. If you have forgotten
your war-time experiences come and talk about
your wireless or anything but come along.
I would welcome the views of members in the
Branch regarding the arranging of a char-a-banc
trip on the lines of the 1922 affair. Will members
willing and desirous of partaking in such an outing
at the end of June or early July, on a Saturday,
please write to me
Many thanks to those members who have so
kindly sent us subscriptions to our Branch Fund
in answer to the Committee's circular letter.
Such practical interest of this sort helps us to
keep our end up and is worth tons of good wishes
and sentiment.
ARMISTICE DAY IN CAIRO.
[We have received the following from our
Corresponding Member in Cairo, and publish it
as an example worthy of emulation. His letter
to the local papers is excellent.Ed., Y.T.]
The Residency, Cairo.
13th November, 1923.
To the Secretary, The Ypres League.
Dear Sir,
I must apologise for having failed to write to
you on the 1st of the month, but great pressure of
work is my excuse. I enclose a cutting from the
Egyptian Mail, which you might like to see. The
Egyptian Gazette published the same letter. I
particularly refrained from making any direct
appeal for members, as this was an initial effort,
and I imagine that it is not the desire of the
League to recruit others than those who under
stand, or wish to understand, the spirit of its
union of fellowship. I therefore took extracts
from the different numbers of The Ypres Times
and embodied them in as comprehensive form as
possible. I took this action somewhat in fear and
trembling as I was not quite sure whether the
League would desire me to publish notices on their
behalf, but believing that he who hesitates is
lost," I decided to run the risk of possible dis
approval. Many people have expressed their
appreciation and several have made enquiries
with regard to the work of the League.
Armistice Day was celebrated by church ser
vices and the annual inter-denominational service
at the Cross of Sacrifice in the British Cemetery.
The High Commissioner and Lady Allenby,
attended by the Residency Staff, the G.O.C., the
Air Commodore and Staffs, and representatives of
the British official and commercial communities
were present. The music was rendered by the
2nd Batt. Dorsets, and the calls were sounded by
the Royal Ulster Rifles. All units in the com
mand were represented.
The very greatest credit and thanks are due
to Lt.-Col. Douglas-Mathesonthe representative
of the Imperial War Graves Commissionfor the
remarkable way in which he has succeeded in
bringing order from chaos, and although the
majority of the graves have still the wooden
crosses, the long lines are well kept and the broken
crosses have been temporarily replaced until the
tombstones are erected.
The graves in Alexandria are equally well
tended, and I understand that much has been
done at Suez, Port Said and Kantara. Although
the local newspapers wrote much about the great
number of people who visited the cemeteries on
Armistice Day I must admit that, in my opinion,
the crowd in Cairo was disappointingly small, as,
of course, by far the greatest proportion was com
posed of Army and Royal Air Force and their
families. Many, I fear, preferred to attend the
races at Heliopolis.
