100
The Ypres Times.
This is typical
During a lull in the German shelling while we
were in Sanctuary Wood," May, 1915, we took
the opportunity to rebuild our parapet again.
While thus engaged, a Tommy, evidently much
excited, came rushing into our section of the trench
shoutingHae ony o' ye seen Jock Baxter
aboot here, I must find him deid or alive." Why,"
we exclaimed, thinking something serious had
happened, what's the matter with him
Matter," he shouted, he's got oor section's
Maconachie."
j. Toolan.
Edinburgh.
And here is one that is really a tragedy, but it
has somehow crept into the "funny packet:
EGGS.
A savoury odour pervaded the air as one Ian
Shackle, that day promoted to the exalted rank
of Lance-Bombardier, entered the cookhouse with
the intention of celebrating the aforementioned
event by enjoying a special supper. He had
deliberately expended half his wealth (fourpence)
on that product of the heneggs. Gazing
expectantly over the heads of the many engaged
in the self-imposed task of frying, and picking
out a position of hope, he edged towards a Gunner
who was endeavouring to cook a conglomeration
of cheese and the inevitable eggs. After you
with the pan, chum," said Ian, and waited expec
tantly for the reply. Blimey There's three
blighters already tallied it, Towney," replied the
cheese and eggs merchant. All right," answered
Ian, I'll have to wait, that's all. But the
pictures is on to-night, ain't they Aye,
they'll be busting off in half-an-hour, I suppose,
respinded the Gunner. Ian walked up and down
the cookhouse floor whistling, joyously anticipat
ing the gorge that would compensate the waiting
game. Just three-quarters-of-an-hour he waited,
and thenhorror of horrors a stentorian voice
commanded Come on All suppers ought to
have been finished long ago. Pull the fires out,
CookIan recognised the voice of the Cook
Sergeant, and his heart sank slowly. The hands
of the clock marked his period of waiting as one
hour, and the pictures had been on for some time.
Come on, kid, get on with it if you're going to do
them things, commanded the Sergeant. There's
enough heat on the top of the range to fry them."
At long, long last. His heart gave a bound and
missed a beat as, hastily adjusting the pan and
putting in the necessary fat, gleefully and hysteric
ally broke the eggs and deposited them in the pan.
Thunder 1 Lightning Stars Both rotten
H. Gull, Bombardier,
R.F.A., and F.P.O. 400,
A.H.Q., B.A. in Constantinople.
Ex-Officer, residing in London, offers his services
as guide-companion in return for expenses to
anyone desiring this convenience. Excellent
knowledge of Ypres battlefields. Also familiar
with Arras and Bapaume areas. Communications
to Secretary of the League.
THE IRISH NUNS OF YPRES.
A pathetic remnant of the war is the case of
the Irish (Benedictine) Nuns of Ypres. In the
old Flemish town there existed for two hundred
and fifty years a Community known as the
Irish Dames of Ypres, devoting themselves to
the important work of educating and training
young girls to take their place as noble and good
women in the world.
During the war, their glorious old abbey was
completely destroyed, and the Community, who
were British subjects, were rescued by our troops.
They endured bitter privations, being homeless
wanderers, but finally succeeded under great
difficulties in re-establishing themselves in a
new home at Kylemore in Ireland. There they
intend to carry on their good work, but they
find themselves confronted with the greatest
difficulties in their efforts to secure funds to meet
the expenses connected with the installation of
their new home. They have a claim against
the Central Powers for £20,000, but under the
existing political situation with regard to the
German Reparations it is hardly likely that they
will obtain even a small portion of this sum for
years to come. The knowledge of this has come
as a great shock and disappointment to them, and
leaves them in immediate and dire need of £7,000.
It is the intention of the Community to en
deavour to perpetuate the memory of their
historic monastery at Ypres by establishing at
Kylemore a memorial to those who laid down
their lives in the Great Cause of Liberty. They
would therefore be thankful to receive contribu
tions for this object and to assist them in the
very difficult task'of establishing their new home.
Any subscriptions may be sent for this purpose
direct to Sir Stuart Coats, Bt., M.P., Hon. Treas.
The Nuns of Ypres Reparation Fund, 72, Victoria
Street, S.W.
YPRES A MEMORIAL VOLUME.
Members of the Ypres League will learn with
satisfaction that it is proposed to publish next
year a splendid and copiously illustrated Memorial
Volume on Ypres the Town and its Immortal
Defence, 1914-1918."
This work, which will give for the first time in
detail and in a single volume the full story of the
deeds of British regiments in the Salient, will be a
most treasured possession for every member of the
League. It will contain over 100 plates, some of
them in colour. The text will be written by
Lieut.-Col. Beckles Willson, in collaboration with
other writers. The size of the page will enable it
to contain the Ypres Scroll.
The book will be issued in a, limited edition by
subscription only. Intending subscribers should
fill in the appended form and send it to the Editor
of the Ypres Times.
ICut here.]
I beg to enclose the Sum of Five Shillings, first
payment on account of the Memorial Volume on
Ypres, to be published to Members of the Ypres
League at Twenty Shillings net, or 21/- post paid.
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