Grosvenor House Re-union.
96
The Ypres Times.
The Gathering held at Grosvenor House on the afternoons of July 9th and 10th
proved a great success, the weather being entirely favourable. So many willing helpers
played a part in the preliminary hard work, and in the conduct of the function, that to
give a list of names would take up too much space, but the inception and organisation of
the gathering must be placed to the credit of Lieut.-Gen. Sir William and Lady Pulteney,
the Hon. Alice Douglas-Pennant, and Miss Brice Miller.
H.R.H. The Princess Beatrice (a Patron) inaugurated the proceedings, and was
supported by P.M. The Earl of Ypres (President), and F.M. Lord Plumer of Messines (a
Vice-President). Lord Ypres, after respectfully tendering the thanks of the assembled
company to the Princess, said that the Ypres League had encountered many difficulties
and trials, but he believed it was now established on a wide and firm basis, which would
grow wider and firmer every year. They were, he continued, indebted to the Duke of
Westminster, who himself served in the Salient, for so kindly lending them the use of
his house and grounds. They had the great pleasure, moreover, of having amongst them
F.M. Lord Plumer, whose name and personality were so gloriously associated with the
great battles round Ypres. It was due to his genius and determination that the town
remained in our lines during that terrible struggle. London had very many Dominion
visitors, and in view of the thousands of Dominion soldiers who served and died in the
Salient, he felt that to these visitors the progress and well-being of the League must be
a matter of the greatest interest, and their association with it would give it more and more
the Imperial character which they desired it to have. The King of the Belgians had
frequently expressed his deep sympathy in their movement, and from the commence
ment of their work they had the greatest help from the Belgian Army. Lord Ypres
also spoke of the intention of the League to erect a Memorial Belfry in the Salient.
Lord Plumer said that but for Lord Ypres' stalwart generalship in the first battle of
1914 there would have been no occasion for the long and historic defence of Ypres.
The following were among the many objects of interest exhibited, the names of the
lenders being indicated:A collection of maps and aerial photographs (War Office,
arranged by Col. S. Winterbotham, C.B., C.M.G., of the Geographical Section) portraits
of Lord Ypres (the Irish Guards), Lord Plumer and Lieut.-Gen. Sir Chas. Harington (the
Artist, Mr. Rene de l'Hopital), F.M. Earl Haig and General Sir W. Birdwood (Messrs.
Bassano) camera portraits of F.M. Viscount Allenby and many Generals (Messrs.
Russell and Sons) old prints (Capt. H. Parker)etchings (Messrs. Vicars Bros.) old
engravings and Book of Campaigns of Louis XIV (Mr. Parsons) old portraits (Mr.
Daniells) water colours (Mr. F. J. Mears)Australian photographs taken in the Salient,
sign-boards, and drawings (Imperial War Museum) photographs of Canadian Generals,
V.C.'s, etc. Canada drawing of Tyne Cot Cemetery (Mr. Herbert Baker, A.R.A.).
The League itself exhibited a Special Collection of pictures, photographs, maps and books
with lists of memorials, grave registers, landmarks, etc.
An attractive stall, displaying badges, cornflowers, post-cards, etc., for sale, was
presided over by Mrs. Edwards, while Capt. and Mrs. Alliston vigorously recruited for the
just established Junior Division. War and post-war films, exhibited by Capt. Hyams,
were much appreciated by successive audiences.
Very charming children's dances took place on the lawn, arranged by Miss Vacani
(Mrs. Rankin), andby kind permission of the Commanding Officeran attractive
programme of music was rendered by the Band of H.M.'s Scots Guards.
The most significant feature of the gathering was the presence of a large contingent
of disabled soldiers, many in the familiar blue, as guests of the League.
