202
THE YPRES TIMES
Empire in all theatres of the war, of its unfaltering steadfastness in the battle for
the right.
Through the 250 years of our Regimental history, on such distant and
memorable fields as Chillianwallah, Isandhlwana, and Rorke's Drift, the 24th
Regiment has built up the highest and most glorious traditions of sacrifice and
victory. From 1914 to 1918, in every theatre of war, on many a battlefield, these
high traditions of the Regiment were unfalteringly upheld by their descendants,
and the South Wales Borderers of those years of war proved themselves the most
faithful guardians of their great inheritance.
May this Memorial, raised to their undying honour, be an ever-present
inspiration to us who are still serving, and to all who may come after us, that we
may maintain those high traditions, and, without thought of self, serve the Empire
and guard the honour of the Regiment. We are deeply grateful to the Belgian
Government for their purchase of the site on which this Memorial has been
erected, and also to Mile. Keingisert, who was good enough to part with some of
her land for this purpose, and I offer them grateful thanks in the name of the
South Wales Borderers.
We have also to thank the Belgian Government and the municipality of
Gheluvelt for their kindness in giving the authority which permitted us to erect
the Memorial. I therefore tender to Monsieur the Bourgmestre and his colleagues
the grateful thanks of the Regiment. To the memory of our devoted dead, to the
inspiration of their successors, and to the Glory of God, I now unveil this
Memorial."
M. le Bourgmestre de Gheluvelt and the Governor of the Province made suit-
able speeches, and the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon dedicated the Memorial.
A luncheon followed at the well-known Skindles Hotel, Ypres, to which the Belgian
officials were invited.
Among those present at the ceremony were Brig.-General Burleigh-Leach,
C.B., C.M.G., C.B.E.; Brig.-General A. J. Reddie, C.M.G., D.S.O.; Major
Inkpen, of the Imperial War Graves Commission; Lieut.-Col. T. C. Greenway,
D.S.O., Commanding the 2nd Battalion; Major Birkett, D.S.O., Capt. Mundy,
D.S.O., M.C., 2nd Battalion; Major J. F. Edwards, Commanding Depot, the
South Wales Borderers; Capt. Villar, M.C., Commanding Guard of Honour;
Lieut.-Col. Ramsden, D.S.O., M.C.Lieut.-Col. Ward, C.M.G., D.S.O.; Lieut.-
Col. Gwynne Thomas, D.S.O., O.B.E., of the Regimental Bureau Association;
Lieut.-Col. Raikes, D.S.O., Capt. A. E. Johnson, and Capt. T. D. Phillips, 5th
South Wales Borderers; Capt. A. D. Givons, 10th South Wales Borderers; Capt.
W. T. Harris, M.C., nth South Wales Borderers; Capt. H. R. Taylor and Lieut.
D. E. Moore, 12th South Wales Borderers; Capt. M. O. Lewis, Royal Fusiliers;
Sergt.-Major John Williams, V.C., D.C.M., M.M., R.S.M. D'Arcy, D.C.M.,
2nd South Wales Borderers; C.S.M. F. Ha'bberfield, M.C., 1st Battalion; Sergt!
A. Barton, 7th Battalion: and Capt. de Trafford, Secretary, Ypres League!
Wreaths were laid on behalf of the various battalions, past and present, by the
Belgian authorities, and on behalf of Sir Frederick Mills (the father of the 10th
Battalioh) by Sergt.-Major John Williams, V.C. Credit, is due to Major J. F.
Edwards, who organized the arrangements on this side, and to Major Inkpen and
the Ypres League,.who did so at Ypres and Gheluvelt; also for the excellent way
the ceremony was carried out and the arrangements made for the comfort of those
who attended.
