9°
THE YPRES TIMES
WOOLWICH GARRISON SEARCHLIGHT TATTOO.
The War Office has given permission for the
Woolwich Garrison Searchlight Tattoo to be
held again this year, after one year's lapse.
The Tattoo was first staged in Woolwich in
1929 and owing to its popularity was repeated
in the following year.
This year the Tattoo takes place on July
27th, 28th, 29th and 30th, and will include
several new and interesting events.
The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards), at
present stationed at Shorncliffe, will provide a
musical ride and the Regiment's mounted band
will accompany the ride to Woolwich.
The Honourable Artillery Company will also
take part, and the appearance of this old and
famous regiment should provide a great attrac
tion for the numerous Londoners who patronize
the Tattoo.
Besides these two events, various displays of
drill and physical training will be given by units
of Woolwich Garrison and the event which has
proved so popular in past yearsthe Toy Soldiers
will again be produced, in novel form, by the
Boys of the Depot Brigade Royal Artillery.
The Gloucestershire Regiment (61st Foot)
from Gravesend, will portray historical events
from the history of their regiment.
The Tattoo will open with Community Singing
and with performances by the Massed Bands,
tableaux, and daring displays of horsemanship,
the whole programme should provide a really
convincing display of the high standard of
training reached by trained soldiers of all arms,
recruits and boys.
The Stadium at Woolwich, where the Tattoo
is being held, is within easy reach of London,
and it is hoped that Londoners who are unable
to spare the time to see Tattoos farther afield,
will avail themselves of the opportunity of
witnessing a Tattoo close to their homes.
Charity begins at home," and the profits of
the Tattoo are devoted entirely to charities in
the immediate neighbourhood.
To the Editor, The Ypres Times."
Sir,
With reference to an inquiry in your April
issue regarding The Angels of Mons," might
I point out that this picturesque legend has,
I am afraid, a very prosaic and unromantic
origin. The story of the Angels is included
in a piece of realistic fiction entitled The
Bowmen," written by Arthur Machen and
published in the Evening News of Septem
ber 29th, 1914.
Your correspondent will find that all references
to the origin appeared subsequent to the above-
mentioned date, proving, I fear conclusively,
that credit for the story must be attributed
solely to the art and imagination of a very able
writer of fiction. Incidently, I may mention
that Mr. Machen himself has written an interest
ing (if slightly ironical) commentary on the
attitude towards his story in an introduction
to The Bowmen and other Legends of the
War," published in 1915.
Sir,
Yours Faithfully,
H. F.
RE ANGELS OF MONS."
On the night of August 29th, 1914, the 19th
Infantry Brigade left Pontoise on the banks of
the River Oise at about 10 p.m. After marching
some time we entered the Forest of Laigne.
During the night our progress was very slow in
case of a surprise attack from the enemy. At
dawn on August 30th we arrived near a gap in
the forest and halted for ten minutes on a road
about three hundred yards on our left and
running parallel with us was the 10th Battery
R.G.A., and on looking towards them I saw in
the sky an object in the form of a guardian
angel. This was at dawn on August 30th, 1914,
between the village of Carlefont and Attichy
during the Retreat from'Mons.
F. W.
19th Infantry Brigade,
Ammunition Column.
May 10th, 1932.
May 23rd, 1932.