ii4
THE YPRES TIMES
The second day sees us away to Arras for two nights. We left Ypres by the Lille
Gate and proceeded via Wytschaete, Messines, Hyde Park Corner, Ploegsteert Memorial,
Armentieres, Neuve Chapelle, Indian Memorial, Béthune, Nceux-les-Mines, Fosse 10,
Souchez, Notre Dame de Lorette French Memorial, while the rest of the party followed
the route via La Bassée, Hohenzollern Redoubt (stormed by the 46th Division on
October 13th, 1915), Hill 70, Lens both parties meeting again on the Vimy Ridge
where an inspection was made of the tunnels. Two things stand out noticeably in these
tunnels. The first being the German shell which penetrated twenty-eight feet of solid
chalk into one of the saps without exploding and the second, the head of a Canadian
soldier, complete with tin hat, sculptured in the solid chalk, which, I understand, is to
be copied on one of the Canadian monuments.
On the third day an extensive tour of the Somme area was arranged. The first
stop being Newfoundland Park, where some thirty acres of the 1916 battlefield has
been preserved. On our way to Thiepval we observed the memorials to the 51st (High
land), 29th (Lancashire), 36th (Ulster) and the 18th Divisions. Then comes Pozières
Memorial and those erected to the
1st Australian, The Mining, 10th
King's Royal Rifle Corps and the
Royal Tank Corps. Our route
continues through Remcourt, Le
Transloy, Sailly, Saillisel, Mont St.
Quentin, Peronne, Doingt Estrees,
Vermand, Holnon and St. Quentin.
At Bellenglise we visited the 46th
North Midland Divisional Memorial,
and Cambrai was reached via Belli-
court, Le Catelet, Honnicourt, La
Vacquerie, Masnières and Rumilly.
We returned to Arras at 9 p.m. and
enjoyed an excellent dinner at the
Hotel de l'univers.
The fourth day again was ex
ceedingly interesting through St. Laurent, Gavrille, Vitry, Brebieres and Lambres, then
an express run to Lille (relieved in 1918 by the 47th Division). Our next objective was
Courtrai, passing through Mouscron, Aelbecke, Marcq, returning to Ypres via Menin and
Hooge. At 9 p.m. we again attended the sounding of The Last Post," after which our
party gathered for an impromptu concert at the British Club, which was very much
enjoyed until midnight.
On the fifth and last day we motored to Dixmude and inspected the canal defences,
and also the 15-inch German gun, Long Max," at Moere, weighing 78 tons and length
of barrel 58 feet. After lunching at Bruges, Zeebrugge was visited and the Mole defences
explored. We dined at Ostend and made for our final objective over the dunes to
Dunkerque, and with regret took leave of Mr. Parminter and his drivers. The party
split up in London and each member followed his or her own desires.
In conclusion, I wish to add that the tour was first-class, and I take this opportunity
of thanking all who were concerned in its organization, and particularly Capt. de Trafford
for the help in the early stages and detail work up to the date of departure to Mr. C. J.
Parminter for the excellent arrangements during the tour and to our host and hostess,
Monsieur and Madam Kock of the Hotel Splendid and Britannique, for their unfailing
courtesy. It is interesting to note that not a single item of the itinerary was omitted.
The party visited twenty-one cemeteries and memorials where relatives and friends
were buried, or whose names were inscribed on the panels. According to reports
received since our return, it is evident that a further tour will be equally, if not more,
popular than the last. T. M.
inspecting the trenches at vimy.
