Ypres League.
REUNION DINNER,
PILGRIMAGE—AUGUST 1st, 1925.
London County Committee,
ANDERTON'S HOTEL, FLEET STREET, E.C.
ON FRIDAY, 11th DECEMBER, 1925.
218
The Ypres Times.
TO BE HEED AT
At 7 p.m. for 7.30 p.m.
All Members of the Ypres League and their Friends are cordially invited by the London
County Committee to support the Dinner.
A MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT WILL BE PROVIDED.
EVENING DRESS OPTIONAL. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS TO BE WORN.
MEMBERS OF THE LEAGUE, 6s. 6d.GUESTS, 8s. 6d.
LADIES SPECIALLY INVITED.
Early application, accompanied by remittance, should be sent to the Hon. Secretary,
London County Committee, 9, Baker Street, Portman Square, London, W.I., not later than
the 7th of December.
The second pilgrimage of the year left London for Wipers on Saturday, August the 1st. The
party, consisting of 107 members and friends of the League, was conducted by the Secretary. While
we assembled at Victoria Station we watched vast crowds clamouring for accommodation on their
different trains, but knowing that our own compartments had been reserved compensated not a little
for our early start. At Dover we realised the truth of the proverb, First come, first served," and a
congested rush was made for admission on the first boat, which left with nine hundred passengers on
board. Several of our party were forced to wait for the second boat. After enjoying a beautiful
crossing, we were met at Ostend by our indefatigable representative, Captain Parminter, who was
responsible for our accommodation at Ypres. Owing to the very large numbers of visitors staying
in the town Captain Parminter was compelled to distribute our patty among seven hotels, the names
of which he thoughtfully gave the pilgrims in writing, together with the numbers of their rooms, thereby
avoiding irksome delay on airival.
On Sunday the first thought was the sad, but anxiously-anticipated pilgrimages to the graves of
relatives and friends. Pilgrims were much struck by the beautiful upkeep of the cemeteries and some
had the opportunity of repeating their visit, of which they gladly availed themselves. Apart from
those who had come specially to see the graves of their loved ones, many were interested in viewing
the battlefields, while others renewed acquaintances with spots that held vivid memories of past days.
Our visit coincided with the annual fair and the town was given over to processions, reunions and
general merry-making, from which we were glad to escape. The Wipers Auto Service by arranging
most interesting tours, earned the gratitude of all. Each tour was accompanied by an experienced
British ex-Service lecturer whose historical sketches were most instructive.
Char-a-banc trips were exceedingly popular. On Sunday, August 2nd, a half-day excursion was
made to the famous Kemmel Hill, returning via Dickebusch, and in the afternoon pilgrims were given
the opportunity of visiting well-known localities immortalised by the deeds of the British Army. The
following route was taken Shrapnel Corner, Hill 60, Zillebeke, Hell Fire Corner, Sanctuary Wood,
Hooge, Clapham Junction, Inverness Copse, Gheluvelt, Becelaere, Tyne Cot, Passchendaele, Westroos-
beke, Poelcapelle, St. Julien, returning to Ypres 6.30 p.m. This trip was repeated on Monday the
3rd. A whole-day char-a-banc tour to Arras was also arranged on Sunday, pilgrims being provided
with sandwich luncheons. The first place en route was Neuve Eglies, and thence to Armentières,
