LORD YPRES FUNERAL.
EDITOR'S NOTES.
The Ypres Times.
189
By E. B. W.
As one of those present at the ceremony,
I have been asked to write a description of it. My
pen has no facility for descriptive writing and
cannot begin to convey the sense of dignity, repose,
and historic sequence which the Abbey, filled with a
ceremonial crowd, never fails to inspire. To write
of the glow of the uniforms in the dim light, of the
cool shadows of the vaulting filled with the notes of
the East Post," of the solemn progress down the
nave and through the parkthat is beyond me.
I can see it all, but not describe it.
At such a funeral one looks around to learn, if
possible, in their faces, what has brought the
crowd together. In many one could, that day,
read the signs of real bereavementdistinguished
soldiers feeling the personal loss of a leader whom
they had trusted, and who had trusted them. But
most of us, clearly, had come to perform a final
act of respect to one who was not a personal
friend, but rather a national figure and a great
name an act free from painful emotions.
I believe that the thought uppermost in our
minds was that of great reverence for a man who
had successfully sustained a burden of respon
sibility so immense, that for most of us it is still
outside the range of comprehension. To the
majority the means are lacking of judging the
high degree in which our old commander-in-chief
excelled in insight, resource and creation, but we
all know something of responsibility and of the
standards of its measurement. In play and work
and war we have measured it in ourselves daily.
Even the captain of a village cricket team who
pulls a match out of the fire by a timely change of
bowling, is conscious of responsibility successfully
discharged, and is a little proud of it. Much more
so the man who led his platoon to its objective.
The chief to whom we paid homage that day.
bore a responsibility pretty well unequalled in
history.
Put yourself in his place in the spring of 1915.
The gateway to England and the key of the seas
at stake a formidable, unscrupulous enemy in
frontin the rear, criticism and a shortage of
arms. Troops largely untried in fierce fighting,
thanks to the casualties of the opening campaign
and of the winter. Imagine yourself in chief
command during April and May of 1915 do
this earnestly and honestly, and you will find it
imperative to do real homage to Lord Ypres'
memory.
My mind has gone back to the days when the
division had withdrawn to Frezenbergwhen
drumfire was the normal music of the German
guns, while ours gave a scarcely audible reply
to a day on which one of our battalions came out,
on relief, seven strongwhen much of the
Salient was held by one man to twelve yards
when news or signs of troops in reserve were
completely wanting. Against such a day I find
this note in my diarySaw French again
his chin grows longer and more determined every
day." The knowledge that our men could, and
that our chief would, stick it," was good enough
for me.
Memories such as these gave a reality and mean
ing to the ceremony and during the long slow-
march westwards from the Abbey, between the
vast crowds of mourners, from the parade of
generals in the front to us others in the rear,
brains were alive with old scenes and old days when
the dust which we followed to its grave was the
calm, efficient, unbending habitation of a gigantic
responsibility.
May the League serve to keep such memories
undimmed, and the Empire's gratitude alive.
THE YPRES LEAGUE HEADQUARTERS
AT YPRES.
Members are cordially invited during their stay
at Ypres to visit our Headquarters at No. 19,
Rue Surmont de Volsberghe, where they will receive
a hearty welcome. Here, too, they will find an
excellent library comprising the majority of the
War and Divisional, which are Histories available
for the use of all visitors.
We regret to announce the resignation of our
Secretary, Major B. S. Browne, who put his
whole energy into the League, receiving no
remuneration at his own request. Knowing
nothing of his financial position, we can only say
that we have all admired his determination to
give his services in order that the maximum of
income might accrue to the funds of the League.
Although he has resigned the Secretaryship, he
will remain with us as a very active member.
NEW PREMISES.
Members are advised that the Headquarters
of the League have been transferred from 36,
Eaton Place, to No. 9, Baker Street, Portman
Square, London, W.l.
The League has been unfortunate in having to
change the address of Headquarters so frequently,
but we feel that our new premises will prove satis
factory in every way and we look forward to
remaining in them for a long time to come.
Thanks of the Ypres League are due to The
Duke of Westminster for having given us the
house at 36, Eaton Place, for such a long time
rent free.
