THE YPRES TIMES
105
the following paragraph from the Sheffield Telegraph relative to this pilgrimage:
"As they looked at the flower-decked graves of their sons at Ypres, the mothers
bridged the gulf of years and, in fancy, heard again the tumult of the war and the
cheer up, mother of the lads who went, never to return." This surely expresses
the true sentiment of all bereaved mothers on such pilgrimages.
There were some of our party, however, who had no graves to visit, but
remained content to find the names of their relatives inscribed on the panels of the
beautiful memorials of the Menin Gate and Tyne Cot. It was a great consolation
for them to know that their sons, although missing," had not been forgotten.
Apart from visiting the cemeteries, a charabanc tour of the battlefields was
arranged, and made most interesting by Mr. C. J. Parminter. The pilgrims were
[Photo Daniel, Ypres.
THE PILGRIMS AT THE MENIN GATE.
indeed proud to have an opportunity to visit famous places of which they had heard
their sons and husbands speak, i.e., St. Jean, St. Julien, Passchendaele, Gheluvelt,
Clapham Junction, Hooge, Sanctuary Wood, Hell Fire Corner, Zillebeke, Hill 60.
At nine o'clock on Sunday evening the pilgrims attended the sounding of the
Last Post at the Menin Gate, and were all deeply impressed with this touching
little ceremony performed by Belgian buglers in respect of British dead.
The pilgrims have sent many kind letters of appreciation for the satisfactory
way in which the trip was conducted, and for the excellent board and accommoda
tion provided at the Hotel Skindles.
It is the League's earnest intention to organize another party to Ypres next
July, and to continue this charitable work so long as funds permit.
