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