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which, both the two evening lantern lectures and their talks when traversing the battle
fields by day, were conducted.
It was regretted that Lieut.-General Sir William Pulteney, G.C.V.O., K.C.B.,
K.C.M.G., etc.*(Chairman of the Ypres League), who has evinced such interest in these
particular Schoolboy Battlefield Tours, was unavoidably prevented from being with
us on this occasion.
On Sunday morning, many of us availed ourselves of the opportunity to pay a
visit to "Talbot House," Poperinghe, and I should say that none of those who made the
trip will ever forget this wonderful place. We were sorry that neither Tubby Clayton
nor Pat Leonard, were available to receive us, but the caretaker deputised very
ably in their absence, and showed us as much as possible in our limited time. The Chapel
itself is certainly something to remember, and the Old House is most reverently
kept in memory of those elder brethren of ours who partook of its hospitality during
the trying years of the Great War.
On the return from Pop," the party rejoined for the 11 a.m. service in the Ypres
British Church, where I am sure no more whole-hearted singing of the hymns has been
heard in that noble building for some time. Following the service admirably conducted
by the resident padre, the Rev. G. R. Milner, M.A., a photograph, herewith reproduced,
was taken in the adjacent school play-ground, and our last good deed that morning was
to place a wreath on the Town Memorial in honour of those whom it commemorates.
The wreath was laid by Major Montague Jones, and the inscription on the card attached
was as follows
In respectful memory of the fallen soldiers of our gallant Belgian
Ally who fought side by side with our British Armies in the
Immortal Defence of Ypres, 1914 - 1918."
From the Officers and Cadets of the
English Public Schools, O.T.C.
A char-a-banc tour of the Ypres Salient Battlefields was arranged on Sunday
afternoon and the previous night's lecture considerably helped the party to comprehend
the strategy that governed the battles of Ypres. The visibility was good, and the lec
turers at each outstanding place of interest, explained to us the reason for their signific
ance. A personal impression I gained during this paiticular tour was that the Canadian
Front line at Hill 62 is now rather too much of a museum, although it appeared instruc
tive to the boys. Colonel Jardine's old battery position was a most interesting personal
touch, and the Canadian and Australian Memorials are magnificently worthy of the
gallantry they commemorate. Actually, the most impressive sight was Tyne Cot Ceme
tery and Memorial to the "Missing" at Passchendaele no person could view this
huge concentration of known and unknown war dead without being deeply moved and
firmly resolved in the longing for a real and lasting peace among nations of the Earth.
A Soldier of the British Army," A soldier of the shire Regiment was seen
inscribed on the headstones north, south, east and west in this cemetery whose walls
bear the inscription Their names live for evermore."
At 9 p.m. on this evening, the whole party assembled at the Menin Gate to hear
that impressive rendering of The Last Post," when a wreath was placed by Major
J. M. West of the Shrewsbury School, O.T.C.the card attached bearing the following
inscription
"In proud memory of our glorious British Dead who fell in the
Immortal Defence of the Ypres Salient, 1914 - 1918, and who
have no known graves but whose names are inscribed on this
Memorial."
From the Officers and Cadets of ths
English Public Schools, O.T.C.
