London County Committee 2nd Annual Reunion
Ypres Memorial Church Fund.
126
The Ypres Times.
A large gathering attended the Smoking Concert held on Friday, ioth October,
1924, at the Great Hall, Cannon Street Hotel. Lieut.-Gen. Sir William P. Pulteney,
K.C.B., K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., D.S.O., presided, and the principal guest was His Excellency
The Belgian Ambassador. Among those present were Colonel Maton, C.B., C.V.O.
{Belgian Military Attaché), M. Pollet (Belgian Consul-General)Kathleen Viscountess
Falmouth, Lady Pulteney, the Hon. Alice Douglas Pennant, Miss B. Brice-Miller, Sir
Harry Perry Robinson, K.B.E., Col. G. T. Brierley, C.M.G., D.S.O., Major J. R. Ainsworth-
Davis (Chairman London County Committee), Major B. S. Browne (Hon. Secretary of the
League), Major E. Montague Jones, Major C. J. Edwards, Captain C. Alliston, Captain
F. H. Davies and Captain H. D. Hyams. Owing to indisposition His Excellency The
French Ambassador was unable to be present.
During the evening, General Pulteney read, amid cheers, the following telegram
from His Majesty the King.
The King much appreciates the loyal message from the members of the Ypres
League to their Patron-in-Chief. In thanking them His Majesty feels sure that members
will welcome these opportunities of meeting together and renewing old friendships."
The Chairman, on behalf of those present, thanked the Belgian Ambassador for his
presence. No one took a greater interest in the League than His Excellency, and he was au
thorised to say that the Belgian Ambassador was always ready to help the League. (Cheers.)
He welcomed those present as comrades, or representatives of comrades, who helped
in the heroic defence of Ypres. The bond of friendship and comradeship held them
together, and inspired them to fresh efforts in aid of the League's work. A guide book
would shortly be published which would be appreciated by all pilgrims to the famous
Salient and preserve the memories of all who served there for the children of future years.
It would include an account of Zeebrugge by Captain Carpenter, V,C.
In conclusion, the Chairman appealed for support for the Junior Division, which had
just been established, and mentioned that the youngest member was three months old.
Major J. R. Ainsworth-Davis (Chairman of the London County Committee), who
replied, thanked the Chairman for so kindly presiding at the Re-union, and also expressed
the special gratitude of the Committee to His Excellency The Belgian Ambassador for
attending. He welcomed all those present at the Re-union and pleaded for the co
operation of all in extending and strengthening the League.
The Concert, which was arranged by, and under the direction of Captain E. Clive
Maskelvne, M.C., was an immense success, and the London County Committee owe a
debt of gratitude to Captain Maskelyne for his great kindness in the matter.
By kind permission of the Dean of Westminster an Organ Recital and Service will be
held in Westminster Abbey on Monday, 16th February, 1925, in aid of above fund
The Organist, Mr. Sydney Nicholson, the Precentor, and the Abbey Authorities
generally are combining to make this Service both impressive and memorable, and Mr.
Nicholson's Special Choir of two hundred voices have most kindly consented to assist.
Details will be announced later, but it is proposed to start the same with an Organ Recital
by Mr. Nicholson commencing at 6 o'clock, to be followed by the Service at 6.30, and
the latter will comprise a procession to the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
Admission to the Abbey will be by ticket only, and applications accompanied by
donations towards the Fund should be made to Mr. E. F. Knapp-Fisher, Receiver-General,
Westminster Abbey, S.W.I.
