114
The Ypres Times.
War Office, 2nd June, 1922.
DURATION-OF-WAR SOLDIERS STILL
UNTRACED.
The War Office states that it has not been able
to trace a number of men who joined the Army
on duration-of-war attestations and have not yet
been discharged. These men are not regarded
as being necessarily in a state of desertion but
if any who have deserted surrender themselves,
or bring their whereabouts to notice, their cases
will be immediately investigated and dealt with
on their merits.
The usual procedure in the case of men who
have voluntarily signed confessions of desertion
is to dispense with trial and to carry out their
discharge without requiring them to leave their
civil occupations. Only where there has been
previous desertion, or other serious offence, is any
■departure made from this normal procedure.
And in all cases extenuating circumstances are
taken into consideration.
If the facts show that a man has been irregularly
released instead of being demobilised nothing
more is necessary than the formality of effecting
his discharge. Men who have not been released
from their duration of war attestation by the
issue of proper discharge or demobilisation papers
should, therefore, communicate by letter with the
Officer in Command Records of the Units with
which they served, giving their names and
addresses, regimental numbers, and particulars of
service, in order that their cases may be dealt
with without delay.
A Work of Devotion.
We would like to draw the attention of our lady
readers to the very attractive small Lavender
Bags made by
Mrs. Kelsall,
Maxpoffle, St. Boswell's, N.B.,
from whom they can be ordered. Mrs. Kelsall
has very kindly offered to send all the profits from
the sale of these bags to the Secretary of the
League as a further small augmentation to the
fund for erecting the suggested British Belfry
Memorial at Ypresthe Memorial to the Dead
who lie around that Sacred Spot. The Lavender
Bags vary in size and are most suitable for personal
or household use, or for sale at Bazaars. They are
made of silk and artistically worked. The cost
is 4/-, 5/- and 6/- per dozen. Samples can be seen
at the office of the League, 23, Henrietta Street,
Cavendish Square, London, W.
Happy Days."
I have much pleasure in announcing that a few
copies of an excellent War book, by the Rev. B.
Williamson, who was popularly known as Happy
Days the work being Happy Days in
France and Flanders," will be sold to ex-soldiers
as a special concession for half the listed price,
viz.: at 3/9 instead of at 7/6. This book must be
of special interest to those who served in the 47th
and 49th Divisions during the War. Those
desiring further particulars before ordering may
communicate with the Secretary.
A Fire at Ypres.
We regret to announce that a fire very un
fortunately broke out a short time ago and
destroyed all the hutments consisting of the
School, Dormitories, Convent, and Chapel, belong
ing to the Sacré Coeur Convent at Ypres. This
is the Convent of Sister Marguerite, of the famous
Diary of the War, who has always been so keen
to help on the success of the League. Sister
Marguerite is very anxious to express her great
thanks to those Englishmen who so kindly came
to their prompt assistance when the fire broke out.
Graves.
It has been pointed out to the Imperial War
Graves Commission by their Horticultural officers
in France and Belgium that a certain amount of
damage is caused to young grass and newly sown
ground by visitors walking over the Cemeteries
in search of graves. The majority of visitors
obtain full details as to location of graves before
leaving England. It is requested, therefore, that
all graves visitors would kindly refer to the
gardener in charge, upon arrival at a Cemetery,
who will be able in most cases to direct them at
once to a particular grave.
National Dental Association.
Among our ex-service Members there may be
many dentists who are adversely affected by the
administration of the Dentists' Act of 1921. and
the ex-service Clause contained therein. A
suggestion has been made of co-operation for
mutual strength, for the larger amount of support
and sympathy the service man obtains the
greater will be the influence brought to bear upon
the governing body of the dental profession on this
matter. All Members interested are therefore
invited to correspond direct with the General
Secretary of the National Dental Association at
28, Avenue Chambers, Vernon Place, London,
W.C.
The Earl of Ypres.
It was recently announced in the London Gazette
that the new title of our President is Field-Marshal
the Earl of Ypres. His Lordship's son, hitherto
Captain the Hon. J. R. L. French, now becomes
Lord French. Other distinguished generals whose
titles have been taken from scenes of victories in
which their own names were linked areEarl
Roberts of Kandahar, Lord Napier of Magdala,
Earl Kitchener of Khartoum, Lord Bvng of Vimy.
Visits to France and Belgium in Uniform.
The War Office requests that all applications
from officers and men for permission to proceed
to France and Belgium in uniform for the purpose
of attending public ceremonies, such as the unveil
ing of War Memorials, be sent with detailed
information in time to reach the Secretary, War
Office, not later than three weeks before the date
of intended departure.
