The Ypres Times. 177 Il'f regret that, owing to lack of space in ottr last numberj, we were unable to make mention of the Madrid and Sheffield Branches' activities. MADRID BRANCH. YPRES DAY RE-UNION. A very successful reception of members of the Ypres I.eague was held at the Gran Via Hotel in Madrid on October 30th, the twelfth anniversary of the First Battle of Ypres. The guests were re ceived by Captain P. W. Burgess, Secretary to the Madrid Branch of the League, and by his two sisters, at half past five o'clock. During tea. selectional music was played and afterwards there was dancing. Later, The Rest Cure," an amusing one-act play by Gertrude Jennings, especially prepared for the occasion, was performed by five of the guests. The synopsis of the play is as follows Clarence, a writer of books, enters a nursing home for the purpose of a rest cure. Once in, his best endeavours are to escape from the nerve- racking whistle of a pet parrot, a ballad-snorting street vocalist, the melancholy anecdotes of one nurse, the chilling politeness of another, and, worst of all, tepid boiled mutton and suet pudding. In a blundering housemaid he finds an unexpected ally, and gladly avails himself of her assistance to slip out of the place." The play was heartily applauded and made a happy ending to a very pleasant evening. Among those present were the British Am bassador, Sir Horace Rumbold, Bt., G.C.M.G., M.V.O., Lady Rumbold and Miss Rumbold. the Staff of the British Embassy, the American Com mercial Attaché and Mrs. Cunningham, the British Consul, and the American Consul and Mrs. MacEachran. Besides these there was a large gathering of British, American and French mem bers and their friends. ARMISTICE SERVICE CELEBRATION. An impressive service was held at Saint George s Church, Madrid, on the eighth anniversary of Armistice Day. The Chaplain, Rev. F. Symes- Thorapson, officiated. The two minutes' silence was observed by the large congregation of British and American resi dents gathered together as a proof of their devotion to the memory of the Glorious Dead. During the singing of the hymn, For all the Saints," the British and American Ambassadors, in representation of their respective countries, and Captain Burgess, as deputy of the members of the Madrid Branch of the Ypres League, placed wreaths and a cross of evergreens and flowers at the foot of the altar, which was draped with the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes. Besides the members of the British and Ameri can Diplomatic Corps, there were also present the British and American Consuls, and Major F. \Y. Manley, Military Attaché, of the American Embassy. SHEFFIELD AND DISTRICT BRANCH. The Hon. Secretary, "accompanied by the mem bers of the Committee and many Branch Members, took part in the ceremony of laying the wreath at the War Memorial in Barker's Fool. The wreath bore the wording Laid to the Memory of our Comrades who fell in the defence of the Ypres Salient, 1914-1918." The cost of the wreath was met by voluntary subscription from Branch Members. Continuing their usual policy, the Sheffield' Branch held their 6tli Annual Re-union Dinner at the Westminster Hotel, Sheffield, on the 4th November, 1926. A pleasing feature of the successful gathering was the continued support of those members who have deeply associate'd themselves with the Branch activities. It was. also encouraging to have the support of the Corresponding Member for Chesterfield (Major C. Wilson-Sliee), together with several of the old timers from that district. After the dinner the company enjoyed a musical programme contri buted to by Mr. Holmes (who took the chair), and Mr. F. D. Banks Hill. Miss Cloves, who enter tained at the piano, added in no small way to the success of the evening. A remarkable feature of the evening was that several life-long abstainers (wives being present) were induced to become members of Ye Ancient Order of Froth Blowers, and in this connection the Branch Treasurer must surely now be in the proud position of designating himself as a fully fledged Cyclone or Grand Typhoon, or whatever height it is possible to- attain in that society. The various songs of the Ypres League received necessary treatment, although certain members deserved severe ad monition for the manner in which these lilting songs were treated. We understand, after further enquiries, that the said members are not what is considered entertaining singers, so we are letting it pass at that explanation. The ladies of the party added much to the pleasing nature of the gathering in spite of the firm hand with which they controlled (with ease let it be said, but don't tell) any demonstration of the capabilities of the new converts to the Froth Blowers. Alto gether a jolly evening. A collection was made, and generously supported, on behalf of the Branch Wreath Fund for Armistice Day. PURLEY BRANCH. A new Branch has been formed at Purley under the Secretaryship of Captain E. Featherstone, M.C., of 2, Pretoria Terrace, Purley. i We wish to convey many thanks to the Chair man, Major H. G. Harris, who has taken such an active part in the formation of this Branch.

HISTORISCHE KRANTEN

The Ypres Times (1921-1936) | 1927 | | pagina 31