BRANCH NOTES.
164
The Ypres Times.
30th, to June 2nd, and at any other time when a
party of twenty-five can be got together. We
hope to have a Ypres League porter at Ostend
this year, who will be ready to help and guide
our pilgrims landing at that port. We are glad
to say that prices are a trifle lower than they
were at the end of the season last year.
There is every prospect of a good season. We
have already arranged for a party of girl guides
at Easter, and we hear ofjtwo battalions of cadets
and a party of Canadian officers from Vancouver
who intend to visit the Salient this year, and who
have already turned to the Ypres League for
advice and assistance.
We hope to have a record number on the August
Bank Holiday. Our travel-guide is ready, and
will be sent to all who write for it.
YPRES DAY CELEBRATION AT MADRID.
Ypres Day was celebrated for the first time
befittingly in Spain this year. Captain Burgess,
late of the Dorsetshire Regiment, gave an enter
tainment at his residence in the Calle de J uan Bra
Bravo 14, which was attended by the British Am
bassador and many members and friends of mem
bers of the Ypres League in Spain. Captain
Burgess has sought out and secured for the League
old Ypres men now residing at Barcelona, Huelva
and Vigo, as well as at Madrid. His active can
vassing has been conspicuously rewarded, inas
much as he has dug up a Frenchman who was
attached to the Post Office Rifles for ten months
in the Salient and who happens to be the first
French member to join the League.
As time goes by the importance of the First
Battle of Ypres becomes more and more prominent.
As it falls into its right place in the history of the
War, the debt of civilisation to the men who, by
their supreme sacrifice, saved the line from break
ing at the most important point at the most crucial
moment of the last effort of the Germans to break
through before being run to earth, becomes ever
more apparent. It is not surprising therefore that
time instead of clouding the issue and drawing
the veil of forgetfulness over what was, after all,
only one battle among hundreds, is contributing
to the fame of the First Battle of Ypres, and that
the celebration of that fame is in ever widening
circles spreading abroad.
Remembrance Day, November iith.
A service was conducted from the base of the
York and Lancaster Regiment War Memorial in
Weston Park, by the Rev. H. W. McKay.
Ex-Service men of the Regiment and relatives of
the fallen, together with members of the Ypres
League, attendedsome two hundred in all.
Wreaths were placed on the memorial by Lt. W.
Cholerton, M.C., on behalf of the Y. L- Regt.,
and by the Branch Secretary' representing the
Sheffield and District Branch of the League.
The Branch wreath bore the inscription Laid
on behalf of the Sheffield and District Branch of
the Ypres League, to the memory of their Com
rades who fell in the Salient, 1914-18."
Col. M. J. Duggan, Vice-President of the Branch,
addressed the gathering at the close of the cere
mony.
LONDON COUNTY COMMITTEE.
Children's Christmas Party.
The spirit of Christmas pervaded the Offices of
the League on Saturday, J anuary 10th, 1924, when
members of the Junior Division and their freinds
held their first Children's Christmas Party, which
was organised by the London County Committee.
The object of the Party was to increase the
Junior Division, which is a most essential factor
in the future history of the League. The London
County Committee hope that parents will, without
fail, enrol their children as members (subscription
Is. a year), so that in years to come they may help
to perpetuate the memory of those who fought
and died in the Salient. We append an account
from one who was present
A merry party was held at the Headquarters
of the Ypres League for the members of the
Junior Division.
It was the first of its kind and therefore was
rather a venture. Anyhow it was a great success.
The attendance was far more than expected,
and, as is generally the way with children's parties,
the grown-ups' attendance ran pretty close to
that of the children.
The tea provided was most generous and the
Christmas tree was surrounded by a happy crowd
of children, all trying to guess what present they
would get. The hall and the three rooms were
very tastefully decorated with streamers and flags
in fact the whole show could not have been done
better.
A person who drew a lot of admiration from the
smaller children was the worthy Commissionaire
with his rows of medals the party would not
have been complete without him.
Great credit is due to the London County
Committee and all the voluntary helpers who
worked so extraordinarily hard to make the party
such a success, and all I can say is, no wonder
the War was won if everybody fought as hard as
our hosts worked to make the party a success.
P. C. Alliston (Member of Junior Division).
Informal Gatherings.
Since the last issue of the Times the London
County Committee have held three Informal
Meetings, on January 1st, February 5th and
March 5th, which have been much appreciated by
those attending. Great interest in the League
has been shown by members present at these
gatherings, valuable suggestions being made.
The Committee have decided to hold two more
gatherings before the summer season, which will
be held on Thursday, April 2nd and Thursday,
May 7th, at 36, Eaton Place, S.W.I, from 6.30 p.m.
to 9 p.m. Will members please book these dates.
Friends and all interested in the welfare of the
League are heartily welcomed.
