The Ypres Times.
an integral part of the gun he serves at the other arm the brooding figure of a driver
carrying part of his horses' equipment, very weary but alert to respond to every call
made on him and at the foot, lying beneath the Arms carved in stone of his King and
Regiment the figure of one who has gone to his last rest, his face covered with his coat,
typifying the only method in which it is permissible for an artilleryman to leave his gun
when in action against the enemydead or dying on a stretcher, below the figure of this
unknown artilleryman, hermetically sealed in the foundations and wrapped in the
Union Jack, is a Roll of Honour containing the names of the 49,076 who gave their lives
and on the face of the plinth is seen the inscription
Beneath this stone lies buried the Roll of Honour of
those whose memory is perpetuated by this Memorial."
They will return nevermore,
But their glory will abide for ever."
At the feet of this prone figure is one touch which may have been missed by some,
a touch conceived by the soul of an artistamid all the rush, stri ving, energy and devotion
displayed in the service of the guns as shown in the reliefs, there is by way of contrast
one quiet little corner where, as so often seen in France and Flanders, amid ruined brick
work a Madonna nursing the Child still stands untouched in her niche.
But now, while the hearts of all were laid at the feet of the men who had passed
over the voice of the Chaplain-General to the Forces broke the great stillness as, standing
on the steps of the Memorial with arms uplifted in benediction he solemnly dedicated it
To the Glory of God and in grateful memory of those who gave their lives for King
and Country and a righteous cause." Then, after prayers had been recited and the great
assembly had joined in singing that soul-stirring hymn O Valiant Hearts," led by the
choir of the Royal Garrison Church, Woolwich, in their purple and white cassocks, came
the most impressive moments of the whole ceremony. Breaking into the silence that
fell as the last notes of the hymn died away came a roll of drums, rising and falling so
low at first as hardly to be heardthen gradually swelling to a great crescendo and dying
slowly away to a low mutter. Three times was this repeated, and as the final faint hum
faded on the air the sad strains of the Last Post" were heard, sounded by trumpeters
standing within the garden precincts of Buckingham Palace. With thrilled hearts and in
breathless silence the concourse listened to the last mournful farewell of those who are
left of the Royal Regiment of Artillery to their dead comrades, spoken through instruments
of music.
Again a pause and a great hush that tore at the very heart strings of those present
broken after a time by the soft beating of a chime of bells which ceasing was followed
ever so faintly by the opening notes of the Old English Vesper Hymn played by the
Band of the Regiment with an execution that caused a lump in the throat and brought
tears to many eyes. As the final Amen melted away, once more a heart shaking hush.
At last, when the stillness had become almost unbearable, came a soft ruffle of the drums
rising louder and louder until the air throbbed with sound, culminating in the clangour of
trumpets pealing far and wide the Regimental Call of the Royal Artillery. Another
momentary pause and then from 80 trumpeters lining on high the roof of St. George's
Hospital rang out the Reveillé," firm in its challenge and assurance, and sounded in a
manner that was inspired, causing many furtively to wipe their eyes who had hitherto
managed to keep their feelings under control.
And now was heard the rumble of wheels and the jingle of harness as through a gap
between the guard of honour and the little body of war-blinded men, swung out a six-horse
team drawing a gun covered with a Union Jack on which rested a great wreath of laurel
and red roses, interspersed with rosemary, for remembrance." The pair of horses in
the lead of the team, each proudly wearing a row of war-ribbons on the browband of his
