THE YPRES TIMES
153
would be glad to contribute to the columns of
our little journal.
It is earnestly anticipated that our new mem
bers will strive hard to increase the membership
of the Ypres League. Efforts are not made
easier by the prolonged trade depression, but
nevertheless we are determined to make a success
of the year's work. We would like you to
advertise the League as much as possible.
Wishing you all good luck and prosperity in
I93I-
TO BRANCH SECRETARIES AND
CORRESPONDING MEMBERS.
We have pleasure to send you our best wishes
for a happy and prosperous New Year, and to
convey sincere thanks to you for the valuable
time and thought you have given to the interests
of the League.
We have all endeavoured to make the tenth
anniversary year a record, and we have come
out of it with no mean result, but bigger efforts
are called for in the future in order to maintain
the existing membership, and we can only
succeed if every one of us gives a little share, no
matter how small, in making our aims and objects
more widely known.
The work of the past year was recorded in the
October Ypres Times, so there is no need for
repetition. Members and friends travelling to
France and Belgium under the auspices of the
League become more numerous each year, and
we are making welcome friends with Regimental
Associations, and Branches of the British Legion
who have entrusted us with the organization
of their tours to the battlefields.
Apart from the annual Easter, Whitsuntide
and August Bank Holiday pilgrimages, a very
full programme is in prospect for the coming
season.
We have pleasure in welcoming Mr. W. H.
Lunn as our Corresponding Member for New
Milton, and we feel very grateful for his kind
interest and support.
Thanks are due to many who have worked
hard for the welfare of the League during the
past quarter. Mr. S. C. Allen Olney, our Corre
sponding Member for Hove, deserves special
mention for his great interest in the Junior
Division, and also Captain R. H. Henderson-
Bland for his sterling work in widening the
League's interests in New York.
Much gratitude is also due to our London
County Committee for organizing so success
fully the Informal Gatherings and Reunion
Concert, and for the many ways in which the
committee members have helped individually.
The tenth anniversary Commemoration is
described in the columns of this number, and its
great success was due to the untiring efforts of
Major E. Montague Jones, O.B.E.
The year 1930 has been a successful one, but
we must be more united in our efforts in 1931,
and not only content in keeping up our present
membership, but substantially increase it. It
would be well to remember the words of Field-
Marshal Viscount Plumer, contained in his letter
published in the last edition of the Ypres
Times, urging all to recruit fresh members. He
said There can hardly be anyone in this
country who has not had someone connected
with them who served in the Ypres Salient
during the four years of its defence. I do not
think it is using too strong an expression if I
say it is a sacred duty for all such to do all in
their power to perpetuate the memory of that
service, so that it shall be handed down to
future generations."
In connection with this appeal, a blank
membership form was inserted in each copy of
the October Ypres Times, and we look to our
Branch Secretaries and Corresponding Members
to give a lead in the fulfilment of our President's
wish. This should not be a difficult task, in
which we feel sure that every individual member
will be proud to join, and as a result of this
combined effort we hope that all the forms
sent out with the journal will be returned to
Headquarters, duly completed by the end of
I93I-
With renewed wishes to you all for a very
successful and happy New Year.
ARMISTICE DAY AT YPRES.
The Committee of the Ypriana Band organ
ized a Commemoration in honour of the 12th
Anniversary, and invited the local inhabitants,
and all Societies with their flags and banners.
The first part of the service was held at the
Ypres Town Memorial, where the Ypriana band
played La Brabanzonne" and Judex (by
Gounod) then the Buglers of the Fire Brigade
sounded La Retraite. The Pilgrimage pro
ceeded to the British Memorial at the Menin
Gate, where the band played God Save the
King and Judex (by Gounod), after which
the Buglers sounded the Last Post." The
Commemoration concluded in the Grande Place
with the playing of God Save the King,"
The Marseillaise," and La Brabanzonne,"
in honour of the British, French and Belgians
who gave their lives.
ANNUAL REUNION DINNER.
The Annual Reunion Dinner of the Machine
Gun Corps (Infantry) will be held on Saturday,
February 21st, 1931. Further particulars from
Mr. E. J. Pearson, 26, Cumberland Market,
Regent's Park, N.W.i, or the Secretary, Dinner
Committee, 7c, Lower Belgrave Street, S.W.i.
