English Church at Ypres.
ENGLISH SCHOOL AT YPRES.
The Ypres Times.
55
THE LATE BURdOMASTER OF HOOQE.
We regret tó learn of the death of the Baron de
Vinck (former Burgomaster of Hooge), which took
place on the 14th of December, 1927. The funeral
service was held in the Parish Church at Zillebeke
on the 17th of December, when the remains were
interredin the family vault.
The Baron's chateau, the Headquarters of the 1st
and 2nd Divisions in 1914, was completely de
stroyed during the war, together with the whole
of his property. Nevertheless, he returned to
Hooge on the cessation of hostilities and rebuilt
his home.
On August the 5th, 1923, the Baron performed
the unveiling ceremony at Hell Fire Corner of
one of the seven demarcation stones erected by the
Ypres League in co-operation with the Belgian
Touring Club to mark the extreme advance of
the enemy. In his address Baron de Vinck said
that the memorial would remain for ever a vivid
token of the gallantry of the British and Belgian
troops in their sacred ground of Hell Fire Corner.
Our readers will join with us in regretting the
passing of one of the League's distinguished foreign
members and in extending heartfelt sympathy
to the Baroness de Vinck and family.
BARON DE VINCK.
The fabric of the Church is now progressing and it is hoped that the building will
be finished by the end of July.
The East and West windows and all the eight side windows have now been given as
memorials they will prove of great interest in the future, not only to those who served
in the Great War, but to those who follow them. In some cases the signs by which
the unit was known in the war have been reproduced in the panels of the window.
It is hoped that many of the interior fittings and furniture of the Church will also be
given as memorials.
His Majesty The King has graciously promised to present a Bible to the Church
it will be a very beautiful gift. The Bible will be bound in dark blue Levant morocco
with a plain cross outlined in gold in the centre. Just below the top edge, in plain gold
capitals, are the words Mortem Oppentes similarly, just above the lower edge,
appear the words Vitam Meruerunt," meaning respectively" Going out to meet death"
and They earned life inside will be a simple presentation inscription signed by His
Majesty.
The school built by Etonians in memory of the 342 Etonians who lost their lives from
wounds received in the neighbourhood of Ypres is more advanced and should be com
pleted by the end of June.
I hope that all visitors and pilgrims who go to Ypres in the future will go to see the
Church and School there, and further, that they will interest themselves in the welfare
and upkeep of both.
W. P. PUKTENEY, Lieut.-General.
3, Lower Berkeley Street, W.
March, 1928.
