CORRESPONDENCE.
YPRES LEAGUE TIE.
PILGRIMAGES TO YPRES AND THE SOMME.
The Ypres Times.
The Ypres League Tie is now on sale, price 3s. 6d., post free. The tie is made of good
quality silk in a pretty shade of cornflower blue, relieved by a narrow gold stripe.
The tie has proved very popular, and every member of the League should wear one.
Applications to the Secretary.
EASTER (YPRES).
Leave London Saturday, April 7th.
Return Tuesday, April 10th.
WHITSUNTIDE (YPRES and SOMME).
Leave London Saturday, May 26th.
Return Tuesday, May 29th.
AUGUST (YPRES).
Leave London Saturday, August 4th.
Return Tuesday, August 7th.
Note.—For the organisation of any of
the above Pilgrimages a minimum of
twenty-five persons is necessary.
For further particulars apply to the
Secretary, Ypres League, 9, Baker Street,
Portman Square, London, W.I.
To the Editor, The Ypres Times.
Dear Sir,In The Ypres Times of October,
1927, under the heading of Menin Gate," and
signed by R. Henderson Bland, it is saidIt
was in Inverness Copse, on August 22nd, 1917,
that the Germans for the first time made use of
liquid fire."
To the best of my knowledge and belief, the
first occasion on which liquid fire was used was
at Hooge Crater at dawn on July 30th, 1915.
The 8th Bn. The Rifle Brigade was holding the
linewhich was lostand at the counter attack
which was ordered for 3.45 that afternoon the
41st Brigade (14th Light Division) was practically
annihilated. On the occasion of this liquid fire
attack, 2nd Lieut. Woodroffe, of 8th Rifle Brigade,
was awarded the V.C., and I daresay many others
of your members will confirm what I say.
I certainly shall not forget it, as my platoon
was in support by Zouave Wood at the time.
Perhaps you would kindly bring this fact briefly
to the notice of your readers in your next edition.
Yours faithfully,
J. E. B. GRAY, D.S.O.,
Late Captain yth Bn. '1 he Rifle Brigade.
Bellagio, Kingswood, Surrey.
October gth, 1927.
To the Editor, The Ypres Times.
Sir,May I be permitted to correct an error
on page 230 of your issue for October, 1927, in
the second paragraph of the article Northumber
land Hussars Old Comrades Tour of the Western
Front." The writer says that the Northumberland
Hussars are proud of being the first Territorial
unit in action, if not the first to land on the
Western Front." They were in fact neither. The
14th London Regiment (London Scottish!the
1st Honourable Artillery Company, and the
Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars all landed in
France well before the end of September, 1914.
Lord French himself states, on page 262 of his
book 1914," that the Oxfordshire Hussars and
the London Scottish were the first Territorial
troops who fought in the war," adding that
After disembarking at Dunkirk the Oxfordshire
Hussars took part in the important operations
connected with the Belgian retreat from Antwerp,
and rendered most valuable aid in the delence of
the Wytschaete ridge when that piece of ground
was held with such marvellous tenacity by the
Cavalry Division against overwhelming odds."
All further doubt is set at rest by the statement
on page 46 of Volume II cf the Official History of
the War, Military Operations, France and Bel
gium, 191-1, that cyclists of the IV (German)
Cavalry Corps, advancing north of Lille on the
5th October, came into collision with a patrol
of the Oxfordshire Hussars," and that this regi
ment was the first Territorial unit to be in
action."
Ycurs faithfully,
A. W. KEITH-FALCONER-
80, Cadogan Square, S.W.I.
October 12th, 1927.
