Free Pilgrimage to Ypres. Vol. 4, No. 8 Published Quarterly October, 1929 July 6th8th. ON July 6th the League organized a free pilgrimage, and defrayed the inclusive expenses of the pilgrims from their homes to Ypres, for the purpose of visiting the last resting-places of their fallen relativesthe majority of these deserving cases being poor mothers and wives who had not before had an oppor tunity to visit these sacred spots. The pilgrims were drawn from the following placesHalifax, Sunderland, Gateshead, Sheffield, Solihull (Birmingham), Attleborough (Norwich), Berwick (Sussex), Swanwick (Southampton), St. Albans (Herts), and London. Those travelling from the provinces were accommodated in London on both the outward and homeward journey. The party left London by the eight o'clock morning service and enjoyed a smooth crossing to Ostend. On arrival at Ypres at 4 p.m., when the pilgrims were about to congratulate themselves on their comfortable journey, a violent thunderstorm broke out, accompanied by a torrential rain, soaking everybody as they were passing through the station barrier. Here we were met by our repre sentative, Mr. C. J. Parminter. Accommodation had been arranged at the Hotels Splendid and Britannique, Sayette, de la Lune, and du Miroir, all situated in the Grande Place; meals being taken at the Splendid. There was time before dinner to walk round the old ramparts, and admire the many newly erected buildings and shops in the town. At nine o'clock a visit was paid to the beautiful Menin Gate, where three buglers from the Ypres Fire Brigade sounded the Last Post in honour of the British dead and missing." This impressive little ceremony is performed every evening from July 1st to September 30th. On Sunday, the pilgrims, as well as visiting their cemeteries, were able to attend the Service of Thanksgiving held in the British Church, and conducted by the Rev. G. R. Milner, M.A., for the recovery of His Majesty the King's health. The route to some of the particular cemeteries and memorials to be visited ran through many places of battle-fame which are now household names even to those who were making their first pilgrimage to the SalientSt. Julien, Broodseinde.

HISTORISCHE KRANTEN

The Ypres Times (1921-1936) | 1929 | | pagina 3