Free Pilgrimage to Ypres.
Vol. 4, No. 8 Published Quarterly October, 1929
July 6th8th.
ON July 6th the League organized a free pilgrimage, and defrayed the inclusive
expenses of the pilgrims from their homes to Ypres, for the purpose of
visiting the last resting-places of their fallen relativesthe majority of these
deserving cases being poor mothers and wives who had not before had an oppor
tunity to visit these sacred spots.
The pilgrims were drawn from the following placesHalifax, Sunderland,
Gateshead, Sheffield, Solihull (Birmingham), Attleborough (Norwich), Berwick
(Sussex), Swanwick (Southampton), St. Albans (Herts), and London. Those
travelling from the provinces were accommodated in London on both the outward
and homeward journey.
The party left London by the eight o'clock morning service and enjoyed a
smooth crossing to Ostend. On arrival at Ypres at 4 p.m., when the pilgrims
were about to congratulate themselves on their comfortable journey, a violent
thunderstorm broke out, accompanied by a torrential rain, soaking everybody as
they were passing through the station barrier. Here we were met by our repre
sentative, Mr. C. J. Parminter.
Accommodation had been arranged at the Hotels Splendid and Britannique,
Sayette, de la Lune, and du Miroir, all situated in the Grande Place; meals being
taken at the Splendid.
There was time before dinner to walk round the old ramparts, and admire the
many newly erected buildings and shops in the town. At nine o'clock a visit was
paid to the beautiful Menin Gate, where three buglers from the Ypres Fire Brigade
sounded the Last Post in honour of the British dead and missing." This
impressive little ceremony is performed every evening from July 1st to
September 30th.
On Sunday, the pilgrims, as well as visiting their cemeteries, were able to
attend the Service of Thanksgiving held in the British Church, and conducted by
the Rev. G. R. Milner, M.A., for the recovery of His Majesty the King's health.
The route to some of the particular cemeteries and memorials to be visited ran
through many places of battle-fame which are now household names even to those
who were making their first pilgrimage to the SalientSt. Julien, Broodseinde.