The Ypres Times.
75
Sunday was left for each member to spend as he chose. In the morning many ex
plored the ramparts, and in the afternoon a visit was made by tram to the Hooge Crater,
where we turned left for Glencorse Wood of August, 1917, memories. The wood was still
very bare with the pill-boxes still standing, and I at once recognised the one that made
Colonel Kellett a casualty on the morning of our attack. There are still plenty of grenades,
barbed wire, etc., around here, and from the old German position in the wood one could
realise the magnitude of the task which faced us on the day we went over the top. It was
just near Glencorse Wood that we discovered a German cemetery in which 120 Germans
have been buried they had evidently been prisoners of war when killed. The majority of
the party on leaving the wood took the first tram back to Ypres for tea, but I, with a few
others, paid a visit to the cemetery on the Hooge Crater, where we found about half-a-dozen
2nd Condon's graves, headstones now replacing the wooden crosses. On our way back
we went into an estimanet and had an interesting chat with the owner, who had lived at
Ypres before and during the War. This lady had ha<J a German cavalry officer billeted on
her. of whose behaviour she had no cause for complaint. She related that on one occasion
when some German soldiers came in and demanded drinks, he picked up his whip and
promptly laid it about him in no uncertain manner Our last evening will hold vivid
memories for quite a number of our party who, I fear, after dinner, strayed from the fold
and on arriving back at the hotel in the early hours of the morning, found the door bolted
and barred against them, with no other alternative than to spend the night in the band
stand in the Grand' Place. I am glad to say that it had no ill effects and showed they were
ready to go on sentry once more
Monday was a morning of regret as our visit was fast nearing its close, and at q a.m.,
after bidding farewell to the hotel keeper, we proceeded by train to Thourout, where we
changed in order to spend a short time at Bruges. We lingered as long as possible in the
wonderful cathedral, and after partaking of lunch made our way to the station to catch the
train to Ostend quay. We had five minutes only in which to catch the boat and on arrival
at the quay we could see that the boat was full. But we were not prepared for the sequel.
With a loud hoot, she started off, leaving about three hundred would-be passengers behind
Being informed that there would not be another boat until 10 o'clock on Tuesday morning,
we made a virtue of necessity, and after wiring to our respective homes and places of business
betook ourselves to the Leicestershire Hotel to make arrangements for spending the night.
The first shock over, we proceeded to enjoy ourselves, some remaining in Ostend to see the
sights, while others took the trip to Zeebrugge, where we were able to walk right down the
Mole itself. The old German guns are still in position and, although it was getting dusk, we
could see where the boats were sunk, but I believe they are now raising these.
Tuesday saw us early on the quay, and when the boat eventually sailed it was not
more than half full. We had a comfortable journey to Dover and were not long in passing
through the Customs, arriving in London at 5 o'clock. Thus ended a very enjoyable trip
with beautiful weather the whole time. I do not think there was the slightest hitch in
the arrangements made, and in this connection I should like to extend my thanks to the
Secretary of the Ypres League for his kindness, and for the helpful advice he gave me.
W. A. FRANCIS, Secretary
2nd London Regimental Association.
