GRAND SMOKING CONCERT
RE-UNION OF MEMBERS AND FRIENDS.
CANNON STREET HOTEL, GREAT HALL,
THURSDAY, 15th OCTOBER, 1925.
186
The Ypres Times.
but it was then too late for General Rawlinson to issue fresh orders to his far-extended
divisions, and secure the co-operation of General Allenby on his right.
Consequently it was not until the 19th that we set out for Menin, and so began the
first battle of Ypres. Rawford's 22nd Brigade was in advance on the left, and their leading
battalions had got close to Fezelburg, and Byng had reported the capture of I.edeghem,
whan information began to come in regarding the very considerable strength of the enemy.
I believe that it was on the strength of an air report that General Rawlinson finally decided
not to push on, and it is unpleasant to picture the mess we should have got into had we
persevered.
All that I can remember of the days that followed is the continual hammering on
the front of the 7th Division, at whose H.Q. I acted as liaison officer, and the cheerful
confidence with which Sir Henry Rawlinson received even the most gloomy reportsa
confidence evidently shared by his divisional generals, and which quickly spread to all
ranks. All this continuous fighting is admirably narrated in the official history of the
war.
On the 25th the 3rd Cavalry Division, which had moved round to General Capper's
right flank when the I Corps came up on his left, was transferred to the Cavalry Corps,
and on the 27th what remained of the 7th Division was handed over to the I Corps. Sir
Henry Rawlinson then returned to England with a few of his staff to superintend
the training of the 8th Division, whilst the rest of us went back to Boulogne, staying
there until we rejoined him at Merville, where the IV Corps were reconstituted about
the 15th November.
Yours faithfully,
R. U. H. BUCKEAND, Major-General (retired).
The Rocks, Hurstpierpoint, Sussex. Formerly C.E. IV Corps.
24th May, 1925.
PRELIMINARY NOTICE.
Organized by the London County Committee of the Ypres League,
TO BE HEI-D AT
on
All Members Qf the Ypres League and their friends are cordially invited by the London County Committee
to meet together at the Cannon Street Hotel, Great Hall, on Thursday, 15th October, when a
wtu, be given.
Chairman BriG.-Gne. R. J. kentish, C.M.G D.S.O.
The Programme has bee:i arranged by
MURRAY ASHFORD'S FELIXSTOWE ENTERTAINERS
Under the direction of Mr.Wilby Lunn).
DOORS OPEN AT 7 O'CLOCK P.M. CONCERT COMMENCES AT 7.30 O'CLOCK P.M.
TABLES CAN BE RESERVED.
ADMISSION 5/- 2/6 and 1/-.
