The Ypres Times.
23T
halt was made while two members of the party, who had been billeted at a certain farm-
near this village during the 1914 operations, rediscovered their former hosts, who had
returned to their home after the Armistice. Their delight on recognising the Old
Contemptibles was expressed in the liveliest gesticulations and warmest words of wel
come. After this pleasing little interlude, which was not without its touching side, the
journey continued through Locre and Dickebusch to Ypres. Here an excellent lunch,,
to which all did ample justice, was partaken of at the Hotel Splendid Britannique.
Lunch over, the tour was resumed by way of Hell Fire Corner, Zillebeke, Hill 60;.
Wvtschaete and Messines Ridges, Ploegsteert, Armentières, Fleurbaix, Neuve Chapelle,
La Bassée, passing Cambrin on the right (where Sergeant Michael O'Leary won the V.C.),.
Lens, Loos, Thélus and back to Arras.
An interesting itinerary was mapped out for the second day to the Bapaume,.
Peronne and JSTovon sectors, returning through the Hindenburg Line between St. Quintin-
and Cambrai. Before reaching Cambrai a stop was made close to the canal at Masnières,
where one of the party had been taken prisoner by the Germans in 1918. The company-
listened with breathless interest to the graphic account of his escape from the enemy's
lines and of how he had swum the canal to safety. The narrative at an end, the tour
continued through Cambrai, Marquion and Vis-en-Artois, Arras being reached again at
7 p.m.
The last day was devoted to the old 1916 Somme front Longueval, Delville Wood,
Cöntalmaison, Fricourt and Happy Valley, truer to its name to-day than when many-
members of the party first knew it. Lunch was taken at Albert, after which Pozières,
Thiepval and Beaumont Hamel were visited. In this area more signs of devastation!
are to be seen than in any other sector of the Western Front.
MAYOR'S RECEPTION.
The reception of the party on the last evening by the Mayor, M. Gustave Lemelle,.
brought the tour to a pleasant close. On behalf of the visitors, Regimental Sergeant-
Major J. F. Lorimer, supported by Mr. J. C. Fewster, asked the Mayor to accept hearty-
greetings and good wishes, at the same time expressing admiration of the progress made
