130
The Ypres Times.
Times, the London County Committee held three
Informal Meetings, on October 17th, November
7th and December 5th. These gatherings have
met with success, as is shown by the larger number
attending each successive meeting. The Committee
hope that members will make these gatherings
well known to all their friends, and they extend
a very hearty welcome to prospective members
and all interested in the League. It is by such
means that the spirit of comradeship and friend
ship is strengthened and the Committee trust that
members will make a point of being present in
order to spend a happy evening talking over old
times spent in the Salient.
Will members please note that Informal Meet
ings will be held at 36, Eaton Place, S.W.i, on
January 1st, February 5th, and March 5th,
1925, from 6.30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The London County Committee are pleased to
announce that they have arranged for a Children's
Christmas Party to be held at the Office of the
League, 36, Eaton Place, S.W.i, on Saturday,
10th January, from 4-7 p.m. Members of the
J unior Division will be admitted free children
of League members and friends will be admitted
on payment of 6d. each. The Committee hope
that all attending will spend a very happy time.
A Christmas tree will be provided, and any
friends of the League who are interested and
would like to give a small donation are asked to
forward it to the Hon. Secretary, London County
Committee. The Committee would esteem it a
favour if those intending to be present will notify
the Hon. Secretary, London County Committee,
36, Eaton Place, S.W.i, on or before January 6th.
Parents of children are also welcomed. The Com
mittee would be grateful for any Christmas
decorations for which members have no further
use and these should be sent to 36, Baton Place,
S.W.i.
SHEFFIELD AND DISTRICT BRANCH
NEWS.
The Sheffield and District Branch com
memorated Ypres Day by holding their third
Annual Re-union Dinner at Stephenson's Exchange
Restaurant, Sheffield, on the evening of Ypres
DayOctober 31st. The President of the Branch
(Col. D. S. Branson, D.S.O., M.C.) presided. The
guests of the evening were Lt.-Col. F. H. Fernie,
D.S.O., a member of the League Executive Com
mittee, and Capt. R. W. Mathews, ex-Master
Cutler of Sheffield and President of the Sheffield
Branch of Toe H. Telegrams were rece i ved from
H.M. The King and the Earl of Ypres, O.M., wish
ing the members present an enjoyable evening,
etc.
The Chairman proposed the toast of The
League," in reply to which Col. Fernie gave an
account of the present activities of the League,
and how and to what extent its objects were being
carried out. Lt.-Col. M. J. Duggan, Vice-President,
proposed the toast of Our Guests." Capt.
R. W. Mathews, in reply, said that it was im
possible to think of the Salient without thinking
of Talbot House at Poperinghe, which brought so
much comfort to all ranks when they came out
of the turmoil and horror of the trenches. From
Talbot House had sprung Toe H, which was
founded to carry on the spirit of unselfish sacrifice
which marked the conduct of everybody connected
with the defence of Ypres. That unselfish sacrifice
was an effort to repay a debt to those who had
passed overa debt which was really unpayable.
The Rev. A. E. Duckett, B.Sc., A.K.C., Hon.
Chaplain, giving the toast of Absent Friends,''
said the future of the Empire and the future of
the world to a very large extent depended on
whether the rising generation was captured by
the same lofty ideals which animated the men who
defended Ypres. The golden opportunity had
been presented to them of seizing the torch, on
which there were two labelsservice for others
and brotherhood. Those were the two bulwarks
on which the Empire had been built, and on which
it could be extended. A vote of thanks to the
President was proposed by Mr. Holmes and was
replied to by the Chairman. Balfour's Dannemora
Light Orchestra rendered a happy selection of
music throughout the evening.
The Branch Secretary begs to thank those
members who so kindly informed him of their
inability to attend the Annual Dinner. This simple
little courtesy was much appreciated. He also
thanks those members who, although unable to
attend themselves, sent a small donation towards
expenses, or to the wreath fund. Suggestions for
further activities will be welcomed from any
Branch member. Will members drop him a line
about this important matter
N.W. LONDON BRANCH YPRES LEAOUE.
A well-attended dance, arranged by the N.W.
London Branch of the Ypres League, was held at
the Drill Hall of the 19th London Territorials,
High Street, Camden Town.
The well-known Ypres League song, A Corner
in Flanders," was played as a waltz by Mr.
Butcher's orchestra, and many copies of the song
were sold for the benefit of the League funds.
During the interval the Annual General Meeting
of the N.W. London Branch was held, Capt. C.
Alliston in the chair.
Thanks are due to the many voluntary helpers
for a most successful evening. Among those
present were Capt. C. Alliston (chairman). Coun
cillor Mrs. Alliston, Capt. F. H. Davies, Messrs.
John Boughey, A. Copland, Mr. and Mrs. Pearson,
F. Baker, Avey, Mackman, T. F. Farmer, Cathcart,
and Misses Greagsbey, Tomlin. Donations were
kindly sent by J. O. Roberts, Esq., Mrs. Trill,
Miss Frigout and others.
THE MEMORY TABLET.
It has been a source of disappointment that the
Memory Tablet, which has now been appearing
for a year, has called forth so few suggestions.
If it has given rise to any memories of
actions by individual units, these reminiscences
did not reach the editorial office. We should be
glad to know whether members consider it worth
continuing as a feature of our Magazine.
