Branch Notes
THE YPRES TIMES
184
PURLEY BRANCH.
The Seventh Annual Dinner of the Purley
Branch was held on Thursday, March 7th, at
the Red Lion Hotel, Coulsdon, when a still
larger company was present than on any pre
vious occasion, and the evening was unanimous
ly voted a great success. In spite of a few
unavoidable absences, 136 members and their
guests attended and enjoyed an excellent
dinner or, as the menu termed it, Engage
ment."
The Chairman of the evening was once again
Major H. G. Harris, who was the first Chairman
of the Branch, and his harangue of the troops
was quite properly labelled, the C.O.'s Gas.
Attack Major Harris drew attention to the
fact that we were in danger of losing some
members owing to their allowing membership
annual subscriptions to lapse which was surely
not the wish or the spirit of the Purley Branch,
and he also spoke very kindly and sympatheti
cally of the members who had passed over during
the previous.year. The C.O. continued by saying
that it was five years since any reference had
been made to the control and constitution of the
Branch, and he felt he should ask the members
if they were satisfied as things were, or whether
any changes were desired, such as Committee
personnel the response left no room for doubt
that nobody thought they could run it and
better. In conclusion, the Cups were presented
to last year's winners of the Bombardier's
Foursomes, namely Captain A. S. Green and
Captain W. K. Scott, and the Runners-up
Prizes to Lieut. C. J. Frost and Rfm. G. D.
Green.
An entertainment by Fred Gwyn and Sam
Mann was then turned on and continued through
out the evening and during the intervals between
the speeches the artists were in very good form
and contributed largely to the success of the
evening.
The Adjutant called on for his report attri
buted the success of the previous year to Bill
Haine, the Chairman, who was such a forceful
and successful leader, and to the troops who
followed him so well wherever he led. News of
the annual receipt of the Ypres League Branch
Recruiting Prize was received with acclamation.
All the events of the year were then reported,
including the golf competitions. Armistice
Sunday Parade, and the Branch Dance last
December, which was so successful that the
Committee found it possible to send Ten Guineas
to the Ypres League for ex-service purposes, and
Ten Guineas to Earl Haig's Fund for Officers.
After referring to the part played by the Com
mittee in the year's work, as well as the Orderly
Room, the Adjutant then suggested that all
the guests^ who had already been provided with
the necessary forms) should forthwith be enrolled
as members of the Branch, in order that
Bombardier O. Mears, who was deputising for
Captain de Trafford, should see how it was done
This immediately led to the surrender of 31
guests present.
Major S. F. Wood proposed the Toast of our
Gallant Allies, and welcomed amongst many
others, Lieut.-General Sir W. P. Pulteney,
Major-General P. R. C. Commings, Lieut-
Colonel F. G. Poole, and Bombardier O. Mears,
from Headquarters.
After the toast had been honoured, Sir William
Pulteney and General Commings, each made a
most delightful speech, and we were happy to
think that our Corps Commander of the past had
enjoyed last year's function sufficiently to come
again.
The final Toast of the C.O. was proposed
very appropriately by Captain Plug Str-at,
who gave us what he termed the public and
private life of the Chairman to the great edifica
tion and no small amusement to new and old
members alike. The C.O. responded in his usual
modest way, and then we found that one more of
these delightful functions had concluded
perhaps a little later, but certainly better than
ever.
LONDON COUNTY COMMITTEE.
The London Informal Gatherings continue
to maintain their popularity at the Bedford
Head Hotel, Maiden Lane, Strand, W.C.I,
and good attendances are mustered on the
third Thursday in each month. These Gatherings
which have afforded so much pleasure to the
many members and friends attending them in
the past, are promoted with the double object of
enabling ex-service men to meet together in con
vivial atmosphere, to renew old acquaintances,
and to further the wonderful spirit of comrade
ship of the Great War which is so prominent a
feature in the League's great work of Com
memoration.
It has been a great pleasure for us to observe
the presence of so many members of the 5th Army
O.C.A. at recent Gatherings and we are most
grateful to them for extending us such valuable
support. We sincerely hope that they may con
tinue to patronise our functions at which they
may always be assured of a hearty welcome.
The February meeting was honoured by the
St. Dunstan's Singers Partyunder the
personal direction of Miss E. McCall and the
truly excellent programme will be long remem
bered by all who were fortunate enough to be
present.
At our March Informal, we enjoyed an
illustrated talk on Ypres and other places
by Captain H. D. Peabody, D.C.M.
The April Gathering will be held at the
Bedford Hotel at 7.30 p.m. on the fourth
Thursday in that month, instead of the third.
