The Ypres Times.
39
It is hoped that members of the League will
give their hearty support on the occasion. A
musical programme has also been arranged.
Tickets can be obtained from the Honorary
Secretary of the London County Branch, 36,
Eaton Place, London, S.W.I, price 6s. 6d. for
members, 8s. 6d. for guests, and it is desirable
that early application should be made.
V.C.'S GAINED IN THE SALIENT.
We print in this number several portraits,
together with personal accounts when such could
be obtained, of those who won V.C.'s in the
Salient. The response to our request for such
information has, however, been disappointingly
small. They seem to be a shy race, these men who
win the cross. Cannot some of our readers ferret
them out, beg, borrow or steal their photographs
and above all, make them join the League.
POST PEP 1 I
Our indefatigable correspondent in New York,
Captain Maslin, sends us the October issue of a
little periodical issued by the American Legion
with the above engaging title, and we have seldom
read anything that acts up to its title so thoroughly
if that may be taken to mean After war
liveliness." It contains a kind notice of the
Ypres League, together with an exhortation to
join, which has, we are glad to say, been obeyed
by several of our American comrades. There is
one item in the paper which especially appealed
to the Editor of The Ypres Times, and that was
a large notice This space reserved for the news
you were going to send in." Corresponding mem
bers, kindly note well. All members, please lay-
it to heart.
A very successful Dinner was held on February
22nd, at the Café Royal, Regent Street, of those
who served on the Headquarters Staff of the
XlXth Corps in the late War. It was decided
that this Dinner should be an annual function, to
take place in June each year. If this should meet
the eye of any officer who served on the Staff of
this Corps to whom a communication has not been
sent it is hoped that he will immediately place
himself in communication with
Coeonel Weston Jar vis,
36, Upper Grosvenor Street,
London, W.i.,
from whom he will receive full particulars.
BARS TO WAR MEDALS.
Several correspondents have written to ask us
to support an agitation for the granting of bars
to War medals. We understand, however, that
the War Office has already decided to do this, but
in a way that will not. we fear, satisfy some of
our correspondentssince the bars are to be
issued for the years spent in a theatre of war,
and not for individual actions. However, we
think that a little reflection will convince the
malcontents that to award bars for actions on
the Western Front with any show of fairness is
beyond the bounds of human capacity. We
must either grant bars for all engagements to the
clerks at G.H. Q., or else confine the distinction to
the infantry who actually went over the top,
which would be unfair to the multitudinous
"arms" and "sendees" without which the
infantry cannot move. And even then great
injustice would be donefor a man who went
over in the last wave of a great attack, when the
enemy's resistance was already broken, would
get a bar, while a man who had taken part in a
dozen desperate raids on a quiet bit of front would
get none. All these difficulties will be obviated if
bars are given to all those who were actually
present in a theatre of war, and wil at the same
time remove the grievance under which so many,
including the Editor, labourthe grievance of
having seen a lot of fighting and of having nothing
to show for it but the G.S. and Victory Medals,
which were given to so many people who never
saw any fighting at all.
LINES WRITTEN ON I HE BATTLEFIELD.
Live for those who love you,
For those who think you true
For the Heaven that is above you,
For the Crown you have in view.
For the Cause that needs assistance,
For the Wrongs that need resistance,
For the Future in the distance,
For the Good that you can do.
[The above poem, composed by the late Rifle
man G. Pickup, of the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles,
was handed by him, as he lay dying at CorTtrai
from wounds received in action on the 21st of
October, 1918, to his comrade, Charles Casey.
Pickup lived at Bradford, and Mr. Charles Casey,
whose address is 2a, Guildford Cottages, Camber-
well, S.E.y, would be very glad to hear from any
relatives of his late comrade who may chance to
see this.]
YPRES AT WEMBLEY.
One of the most interesting features to members
of the League at the British Empire Exhibition
will be a large model of Ypres and the country-
round it as it was in war time. Elaborate light
ing effects will be introduced, so that the different
aspects of the battlefield by day and night will be
shown, even to Very lights and gun flashes. We
hope to publish a full description in our next
number.
