130
THE YPRES TIMES
AMID the ceaseless roar of the traffic flowing on either side of the Cenotaph,
the anniversary of the First Battle of Ypres was again commemorated on
October 31st with an impressive simplicity and a reverence in keeping with
the austere dignity of the monument and all that it symbolises of heroism and
sacrifice. Two hundred and fifty thousand Britons laid down their lives in the
Salient. It was to render tribute to these men who held the line that members of
the Ypres League, in conjunction with a uniformed contingent of the Royal
Warwickshire Regiment, had assembled.
Every year public interest in the ceremony increases. Men in mufti, whose
rows of medals testified to their service, and women whose near relatives are
buried in the Salient, stood in serried ranks on both sides of the pavement in
Whitehall, where they watched the ceremony in sympathetic silence.
At 3.45 p.m. Princess Beatrice arrived, and was received by Field-Marshal
Lord Plumer of Messines, President of the League. A beautiful wreath,
composed of cornflowers, white chrysanthemums, Madonna lilies and pink and
white carnations, with a broad blue riband bearing the inscription in gold
lettering
From the Ypres League1914-1918,"
was handed by Lord Plumer to Her Royal Highness, who laid it on the Cenotaph
on behalf of all members of the League. Another wreath was then handed to her
by General Sir Robert D. Whigham, Colonel of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment,
which formed the guard of honour. After this wreath, which was composed of
Flanders poppies, had been laid, officers and men stood for a moment at the salute.
The Ypres League wreath was borne by Lieut. Michael O'Leary, V.C., late of
the Connaught Rangers. It will be recalled that Lieut. O'Leary won his V.C. at
Cambrin in 1915, while serving with the Irish Guards.
Among those present were Lady Plumer, the Belgian Ambassador, Comman
dant d'Epinay, M.C. (representing the French Embassy), Lieut.-General Sir
William Pulteney, Lieut.-General Sir Herbert Uniacke, the Dowager Lady Ypres,
Lord and Lady Ypres, members of the Executive Committee and Capt. G. E. de
Trafford (Secretary).
At the conclusion of the ceremony at the Cenotaph, Princess Beatrice,
accompanied by those who were present, proceeded to Westminster Abbey and laid
a further emblem on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. The Dean of
Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr. Foxley Norris, D.D., conducted a service and
delivered a short address.
It is my privilege," he said, to offer to Your Royal Highness, the gratitude
so widely felt for the act of love which you have now done on behalf, not only of
the Ypres League, but of the whole Empire. This day is the anniversary of that
great crisis when our line was re-established and the fate of the Salient was decided.
Memory is short. The ceaseless stream of events flows on. A generation is
already growing up to whom the war is but a matter of history. The League,
which has been so wisely formed, is of inestimable value to keep green in our
minds and hearts the deeds of those men who in those terrible days passed the
highest test of human courage, and with their own lives saved their country.
"To those of us who lost our dearest and best in the war, these commemora
tion days will always be precious and sacred, and we are thankful to know that in
the well-cared-for burial grounds, in that splendid monument the Menin Gate, and
in the British Church at Ypres, are reminders which will stand for all time. The
fabric of that church is built; but a large sum is still required for its completion.
And the Army Commander who was directly responsible during the defence of
Ypres has made the scheme his special care. Your Royal Highness will, I know,
allow me to make it known to all whom my words to-day in any way may reach,
