FROM THE EDITOR'S CHAIR.
The Vpres Times.
95
well ahead. The account of the doings in front of Gheluvelt and Sanctuary Wood
during the Third Battle of Ypres are as good as, and certainly a deal more to the point
than, many other records dealing with that phase. The man in the line, or rather in the
shell holes, the only cover we had, separated often as not by long distances from his
comrades equally miserably situated, had a terrible time. It is with a feeling of satisfaction
that, in such conditions as prevailed all along the line of the Ypres front during that battle,
we learn that the Machine Gunners had a big say in the ultimate success
of the operations. Mr. Russell takes us for a brief period to the Italian front, where
it seems they had a good rest, then back again to Flanders to help put a spoke in the wheel
of the German offensive on the L,ys front. The final phases of the War are dealt with
and, after a steady pursuit of the retreating foe, Mr. Russell lands us in Cologne, where
our forward move ceased, and where his unit became demobilised.
The Machine Gun Companies were formed during the War with a very specific
object, which they accomplished with distinction. They are now disbanded, but the work
they did cannot be erased from the memories of those who fought side by side with them,
and for that reason, if for no other, we commend Mr. Russell's book to our readers.
J- w.
"YPRES BOOK OF VALOUR."
We hope to publish in January a Regimental
contribution to the Ypres Book of Valour as a
suggestion of what the book will be. This account,
sent by The King's Regiment (Liverpool) at the
request of Lieut-Gnl. Sir Charles Harington, G. B .E..
K.C.B., D.S.O., was the first to be received, and
has been epitomised by Sir Philip Gibbs, K.B.E.
Its quality speaks for itself. We have already
received a great deal of material, and are most
appreciative and grateful for the help and en
couragement of the Colonels and Officers of many
Regiments. We are not hurrying the publication,
because we are trying to secure more individual
achievements than have been sent in in most
cases. There is a tendency to concentrate on
accounts of actions of the same period, and though
of great historic interest this sameness must spoil
our aim, which is to make a collection of arresting
achievements that will arouse for all time enthusi
astic appreciation of that which was accom
plished at Ypres. We are now venturing to ask
if those sufficiently interested in what should be
a great memorial will send us stirring narratives
of outstanding incidents, which should be preceded
by a brief reference to the team work of the
Regiment.
We suggest that in Regimental Journals, in
Officers' Diaries, or in the records of Honours
received, such material might be found.
We realise that we are asking a great deal, but
we want to make a great book. The Army has
amassed a wealth of heroic story. Because it
is so great, it is difficult to grasp, and already
it is sUpping out of memory. A book that shall
be an epitome of this should be a legacy to those
who follow us.
YPRES CHURCH APPEAL.
We would draw our readers' attention to the
appeal for an English church at Ypres which
appears on the back page of the cover of this
number. The idea was first mooted by Lord
Ypres at the League Pilgrimage on August 4th,
and the appeal is now sent out by Lord Plumer.
It is hoped to include the League objective of a
Belfry in the scheme.
OBITUARY.
We deeply regret to record the death, on Septem
ber the 10th, of Colonel the Hon. Francis Colborne,
M.V.O., of Nonsuch Park, Cheam, Surrey,
Equerry to H.R.H. the Princess Beatrice. Colonel
Colborne was one of the first members of the
League when it was started in 1920 and served
on the executive committee as long as his health
permitted. His advice and assistance were greatly
valued by his colleagues.
CROSS TO THE 177th TUNNELLING
COMPANY.
The cross, made of wood from Ypres Cathedral,
which so long stood at Railway Wood as a memorial
tothemen of the 177th Tunnelling Company, R.E.,
has been transported to the Chapel of the
Ascension, near Marble Arch (on the Bays water
Road), where it will be permanently preserved, by
permission of the Rev. F. N. Thicknesse. This has
been done through the instrumentality of a lady
whose son was killed at the same spot, and with
the concurrence of Captain Dalgas, who originally
erected the cross. This lady would be glad to
hear, through The Ypres Times, from any of the
relatives of the men of the 177th Tunnelling
Company who are commemorated by the cross.