92
THE YPRES TIMES
ANNUAL REUNION DINNER.
If any proof were needed of the vitality of
the Ypres League, I would recommend a visit
to one of the London Committee annual dinners.
Each year since their inception I have had the
pleasure of being present in the humble capacity
as the husband of one of the Committee, and
the privilege of being entitled to participate as
one of the over 40's who served for one brief
moment in the Salient, and when I ask myself
why I derive such unique enjoyment from these
functions, the full meaning is brought home
to me of one of the chief objects of the League.
I realize that I like to be present to share in the
promotion of good fellowshipto feel one is
among friends for whom one has a deep respect,
and to regain some of that respect for oneself,
which has lapsed through the ignorant and
loose talk of a new generation and when I
look round and see some of this new generation
present, I realize more than ever the good that
can come out of just a dinner and dance.
The change of rendezvous this year brought
us together on May 8th at the First Avenue
Hotel. The good organization that we have
come to expect from the London Committee
was apparent from the start. We dined in
comfort under the splendid good humoured
chairmanship of Brig.-General A. Burt, an
old and tried friend of the League. We
applauded praise where praise was due, we
listened to appeals and to constructive criticism,
and we heard once more the infectious almost
overpowering enthusiasm of Major Montague
Jones, Chairman of the London Committee, who
gave us our marching orders for Empire Day.
It was a special source of pleasure to me to
notice the presence of Major Montague Jones's
son who is now an officer in the Tank Corps.
If all our sons (or nephews) take the same
opportunity of becoming acquainted with the
League we need have no fear for its future.
After the usual toasts, the Chairman welcomed
everyone present, guests and members alike,
and expressed his pleasure at being invited to
take the chair. He drew our attention to the
detailed work that was involved in organizing a
dinner of this nature, and he felt sure that he
was voicing all our views in congratulating
Major Montague Jones, the popular Chairman,
and the Committee's able and eneTgetic Secre
tary, Mr. Boughey, and other hard-working
members of the Committee. He said how glad
he was to hear that the League had done much
useful work recently in helping the ex-service
man to obtain employment. This was splendid
work, and he hoped that this branch of the
League's activities would continue. He also
referred to the Junior Division of the League
which was the life blood of the future, and
closed by proposing the health of the London
County Committee, coupled with the name of
Major Montague Jones, who rose to express his
thanks, addressed a few words.
An adjournment was then made to an adjacent
room where the orchestra had installed itself.
Monotony, however, is not the order of the day
at a London County Committee function, and
the old soldiers soon had the joy of taking
the floor in a variety of pre-war dances that
brought a spontaneity and friendly atmosphere
into the ballroom that was well suited to the
occasion. When the time came that we took
our farewells and departed to our billets, we
felt we had regained something of that spirit
of good will and comradeship that bore so
large a part during the war in building up and
maintaining the national morale, and perhaps
we remembered also the lesson we learned more
than twelve years ago that one can face most
of the knocks in life if one has not forgotten
how to smile.
C. J. Edwards.
INFORMAL GATHERINGS.
In giving a report of the Informal Gatherings
during the past three months, we can speak
favourably on the new rule regarding admission
to the Gatherings. Members are admitted on
production of a ticket, while friends are charged
6d. each. This rule has been the outcome of
several new members for the League, and we
trust that others will follow the good example.
The attendances have been quite up to standard,
and the Committee thank very sincerely all
those who have helped to achieve such excellent
results. In April a fine programme was rendered
by the Battersea Super Concert Party (accom
panied by Conway's Orchestra) and most
efficiently organized by Mr. E. Ford. At the
May Gathering a musical programme was pro
vided by members, among whom are many good
artists. Mrs. Heap kindly took charge of the
June programme and a very enjoyable evening
was spent, and great thanks are due to Mrs.
Heap for her immense interest and invaluable
support.
The next meeting will be held at the George
Hotel, on July 3rd, from 7 to 10 p.m., and
members will be responsible for the entertain
ment. No Informals are to be held in August,
but on September 4th, when full particulars will
be circulated with the notices issued previous to
the meeting.
We ask all our London members to enrol at
least one new member during the coming quarter,
and so do your best to help us to go forward in
promoting the spirit of comradeship among those
who had the honour to serve in the Salient.
