LEAGUE SECRETARY'S NOTES. 48 The Ypres Times. TO OUR NEW MEMBERS. Our foremost thought when writing in these columns is the welcome which we are always so pleased to give to those who have come forward to strengthen our forces. You have joined the League because you are m sympathy with its objects. First, the commemoration of that long and heroic struggle justly described as the immortal defence of Ypresand second, fellowship, with all its kindred emotions and compassion for human suffering. Not a few of those who fought in the Salient, when asked to join the League, exclaim O, we do not want to be reminded of the War!" But when our aims are clearly set before them, their reluctance yields to a desire to express the gratitude owed by this generation, and by generations yet unborn, to those who laid down their lives in the service of King and Country. We know we may depend on you to do your utmost to increase the League's membership by enrolling, not only those who served at Ypres or whose relatives served there, but the many sympathisers with our ideals. We ask you to correspond with headquarters, and to apply for our pamphlets and membership forms and so help us in the important and valuable work of propaganda. I may here add that we welcome suggestions from our members, for these denote an interest and zeal which we are glad to encourage. May we take this opportunity of drawing your special attention to the existence of the Junior Division of the League, membership of which is open to boys and gi rls up to the age of 18 It is in our opinion essential that the younger members of the community should be instructed in the glorious traditions of the Great War, so that when their turn comes (as who can say it will not to strike a blow in the cause of freedom and equity they may draw inspiration from the efforts and achievements of those whose names shall be remembered for evermore. TO BRANCH SECRETARIES AND CORRESPONDING MEMBERS. Before giving a short sketch of the work and activities of the League during the past quarter, there are one or two changes to be noted among corresponding members. First, we have received with great regret the resignation, for reasons of health, of Mrs. Paul (Portstewart) to whom we owe a debt of gratitude for loyal co-operation and support during a long term of office. We welcome very heartily Mr. L. Peeke (Chester), Mr. Shuter (Pietermaritzburg), and Mr. E. M. Channing- Renton (Hon. Special Commissioner). Mr. Channing-Renton, whose interests lie on the Con tinent is a valuable addition to our ranks, as he visits many places in the course of a year and thus has unique opportunities of disseminating our literature over a wide area. We are pleased to state that the lecture prepared by Colonel Brierley (Member of the Executive Committee) has already had signal success, notably at Galashiels under the auspices of the Galashiels Ex-Service Club, Limited (President, Mr. W. L- Weir), through the instrumentality of our energetic corresponding member, Mrs. Lindesay Kelsall (Melrose), the lecturer on this occasion being the Rev. H. Shannon Brisby, who has since joined the League, and whose very interesting article, The Great Pilgrimage," will be found in another column and at St. Albans, when Major Montague J ones (Member of the Executive) addressed an enthusiastic audience of boys, many of whom at the end of the lecture expressed a wish to join the Junior Division. Several correspond ing members in Ireland and abroad are making arrangements to give the lecture next autumn in their respective districts. The organisation of an Easter pilgrimage this year has been fully justified. We are going out in two parties distributed between April 2nd and April 3rd, to suit the convenience of those par ticipating. As we go to press our combined numbers total 91. We think all will agree that the League's best and finest work is the arranging for visits of relatives and others to the graves of the men who laid down their lives in the Salient. It is one which must always make an appeal to those who mourn the loss of their nearest and dearest. We who accompany these pilgrimages can bear witness to the solace and healing they bring to many a wounded heart and to reduce the sum of human suffering by even a fraction is to practise one of the laws of fellowship, not the least spiritual of the ideals the League strives to fulfil. Before leaving this subject let me mention that we have decided to organise a special pilgrimage for the unveiling ceremony of the South African War Memorial at Delville Wood vide page 50). We ask you to make our various pilgrimages a special object of your attention. Perhaps some of you may be able to exert influence with the local press, which would be a valuable reinforce ment to individual effort. Our advertisement with reference to placing wreaths on graves has met with considerable response. Letters received from the relatives on receipt of the photograph showing the wreath in position reveal an appreciation which is very gratifying. Orders for photographs only are also satisfactory. The sale of our publications continues steady. The Immortal Salient has not waned in popularity, and we may expect in the near future a fourth edition of this admirable and useful volume. With a view to increasing our membership in

HISTORISCHE KRANTEN

The Ypres Times (1921-1936) | 1926 | | pagina 22