The Ypres Times. 199 have rusted in war museums, who heard the song of Tipperary going up the roads of France and Flanders, who was part of the spirit which caught up all this young manhood in defiance of high explosives, poison gas, the sweep of machine-gun bullets, and all the destructive forces of twentieth century science. Not any treasure will buy that privilege for future generations. But now it is within the reach of the youth that lives. At any rate we should put it within the reach of our own boys to go out to Ypres and the other battlefields under the guidance of ex-officers and men who know the ground, can summon up the recent pasttheir own experience- explain the meaning and method of the fighting, reconstruct the great battles, and say to the boys at their side "I was there. The men who fell were my comrades. I belonged to the Division that captured that ground. I heard the gunfire which swept that hillside. It was here that they advanced through the enemy's barrage." From a military point of view it is well that some of our boys should study the •campaign in France and Flanders on the spot. But I look at its value from other angles of vision. I think our younger generation should be taken out thereas many- as possibleto get into touch with the spiritual memories that belong to that soil, to do homage to the men who fell there so that these boys might live, and to be inspired with some of the courage and faith which is the one glory of the War in which our best perished. What happened then is a warning to humanity-may it never happen again on those old battlefields!but the valour of youth demands remembrance and eternal honour from those who belong to its spirit and blood. In the memorial chapel of one of our schools this quotation from Thucydides is worthy of those who fell in the Ypres Salient and other fields, and its words say more than any argument of mine on behalf of visits to that ground by schoolboys and cadets. They gave their bodies to the Commonwealth, and received each for his own memory, praise that will never die, and with it the grandest of all tombs, not that in which their mortal bones are laid, but a home in the hearts of men. For the whole earth is the sepulchre of famous men and their story is graven not only on stone but lives on far away without visible symbol, woven into the stuff of other men's lives." WREATHS ON WAR ORAVES IN FRANCE AND BELGIUM. Arrangements are made by the Ypres League to place wreaths for relatives on the graves of British soldiers situated in France and Belgirun at the following times of the year EASTER, ARMISTICE DAY, CHRISTMAS. The wreaths may be composed of natural flowers, laurel, or holly, and can be bought at the following prices 12s. 6d., 15s. 6d., and 20s., according to the size and quality of the wreath. The above prices to include placing on the grave and one unmounted photograph and negative, post card size, which will be sent to the relative, showing the wreath in position. For wreaths placed at the request of relatives on special dates, other than Easter, Armistice Day and Christmas, an extra charge will be necessary, according to the location of the grave. Applications for wreaths should be sent to the Secretary, together with remittance, giving the regimental particulars of the soldier, name of cemetery, and number of plot, row and grave. PHOTOGRAPHS OF WAR GRAVES. The Ypres League has made arrangements whereby it is able to supply photographs (nega tive, and one print, post card size, unmounted) of graves situated in the Ypres Salient, and in the Hazebrouck and Armentieres areas at the price of 10s. each. All applications for photographs should be sent to the Secretary, together with remittance, giving the regimental particulars of the soldier, name of cemetery, and number of plot, row and grave. EMBROIDERED BADGES. In the last April number of The Ypres Times, it was proposed that the badge of the League should be issued embroidered on cloth suitable for wearing on blazers, or displaying as an ornament. We are pleased to announce that these badges can now be supplied at 4s. each, post free. A considerable number have already been sold, and we are delighted to hear that the badges have given entire satisfaction to our members who have received them. Applications to the .Secretary. b

HISTORISCHE KRANTEN

The Ypres Times (1921-1936) | 1925 | | pagina 5