The Ypres Times.
113
the Surbiton Fire Brigade, parties of men from
Teddington and from the London United Tram
ways and London General Omnibus Company,
and Surbiton Boy Scouts. Martial music was
Council) then moved off in slow time, each unit
saluting the War Memorial as it was passed.
It was originally intended to hold the Memorial
Service in St. Matthew's Church, but the congrega-
War Office, 9th May, 1922.
THE DEAD SOLDIER'S RETURN.
The War Office has succeeded in tracing to its
source another of the fictitious stories of dead
soldiers appearing suddenly at their homes after
being mourned for years, and even having their
names recorded on Parish War Memorials. In
this instance Henry Thomas Armer, of the Border
Regiment, was said to have knocked at his
mother's back-door in Dalton-in-Furness on 25th
April last after having been reported dead by
the War Office at Christmas, 1915, and mourned
as dead for six years."
An examination of the facfs shows that Henry
Thomas Armer was never reported dead by
the military authorities. He joined the Army in
1901, as a private in the Border Regiment, and
was transferred to the Army Reserve (Section D),
in 1913. In September, 1914, he was appointed
a lance-corporal in his old Regiment, but on
17th November, 1914, he was discharged as
physically unfit tor further military service. His
sister made inquiry at the War Office, as to his
whereabouts, in March, 1915, and was informed
of his discharge. Finally Armer himself sent
from Holbeek, Leeds, a signed receipt for his
Silver Badge on 23rd December, 1916, a year after
he was alleged to have been reported as dead.
supplied by the Bands of the 6th Battn. East
Surrey Regt., the Kingston and Surbiton Branch
of the British Legion, and the 8th Middlesex Regt.
A prominent feature of the Parade was Old
Bill," the motor-bus which had done such good
service on the Western Front during the War.
A halt was made at the War Memorial, when
wreaths were placed at the foot of the Cross and
the Last Post and Reveille were sounded. The
procession (now joined by the chairman and
members and officials of the Surbiton District
tion was so large that this was impossible, and it
was therefore decided to hold a drumhead service
in the local recreation ground. The service,
conducted by the Rev. J. Clifford Banham, Vicar
of St. Matthew's, was most impressive in Jits
simplicity and devotion, and the Vicar's address
was an inspiring one.
The wounded and disabled men were afterwards
entertained to tea at the ex-Service Men's Club,
where a Concert was given in the evening.
The Procession at Surbiton.
