174
THE YPRES TIMES
McDonald got seven days for talking in the ranks, but he voiced the disappointment
of the whole platoon. No more would we sample the piping-hot products of the good
wives of Flanders, who traded almost on top of the trenches, carrying round their wares
in baskets as they themselves put it Jus' bake."
And throughout the world, to-day, there will be many of those who helped to add
fresh pages to British history by their tenacious defence of a triangle of ground which
reeked with the blood of their comrades, who will draw their belts in just another hole
and sigh for the doughnuts that were Jus' bake." And very naturally those men will
ask themselves Did I give my youth for nothing Is my sacrifice to be in vain
The ideals that were worth fighting for in 1914 are still the urge of the man who loves
his country, and to-morrow, if need be, the youth of the country would fight in defence
of those selfsame ideals. Patriotism and love of country are not variable things, and
no man who is worth his salt will seek to water down his views just because the wheel of
fortune has made a temporary turn against him.
Lack of patriotism is rampant to-day. Let us who have fought and who have no
use for such a thing draw closer together. By doing that we will be able to help each
other and establish once again a comradeship that was bred, fostered and made a real
joy of life, when we stood on the very edge of the grave. A friendship that is established
when men are faced by the daily hazards which beset the modern soldier is something
that will endure for all time and overcome all obstacles. But we must maintain contact
with each other. Lack of contact with those who were our comrades during the war
years, engenders apathy and indifference. The Ypres Leaguewhich has been doing
great service in the cause of comradeship for many yearshelps those who have lost
touch with fighting chums to revive the friendships of days gone by.
There is not so much spring in our step now, and our hair is beginning to grey,
and many of us stand quite close to Poverty Corner. We haven't got much out of
life," some of those who have manned the breastworks will say. We haven't got much
out of life, because we have forgotten we once worked together on a most important
job, and were a very strong trade union. When we get together, and keep there, as
we did in the days gone by, those things we fought for may come near to realization.
There will be men in those cells to-night. Different men, housed under different
circumstances, and their sleep may be disturbed, although not as mine was. Let them
in their quiet moments to-night, take solace from the thought that they will not have to
man the breastworks to-morrow.
Ian Love.
ETCHINGS OF THE MENIN GATE MEMORIAL.
Major C. J. Hazard, M.C., of Colombo, Guatemala, a life member of the Ypres
League, has very generously given Headquarters a number of his fine etchings of the
Menin Gate Memorial, stipulating that the proceeds of sales should go towards the
financial support of the Ypres Times.
Size of etching 9 inches by 6 inches. Price 5s. each, post free. Signed proofs
ios. 6d. each, post free. These etchings are considered wonderful value.
Applications should be addressed to the Secretarv, Ypres League, 20, Orchard
Street, London, W.i.
