Easter, Whitsuntide and Free Pilgrimages
2o8
THE YPRES TIMES
The inscription on the one in West
minster Abbey continues They died
in every quarter of the earth and on all
its seas and their graves are made sure
to them by their kin. The main host
lie buried in the lands of our allies of
the war who have set aside their resting
places in honour for ever." The one
in Notre Dame, Paris, is continued with
the wordsand of whom the greater
part rest in France," followed by a
translation of the full inscription in
French; and that now being erected in
Ypres with the words, many of whom
rest in Belgium," followed by a trans
lation of the full inscription in Latin.
To have given a translation on the last-
named both in French and Flemish
would have marred the uniformity of
the memorials; while, of course, in
view of the bitter controversy that
rages around the language question in
Belgium, it would have been invidious
to include one without the other. That
difficulty has been tactfully overcome
by a translation in Latinthe language
of Belgium's national religion.
H. Benson, M.A.
THE Ypres League annual trips to Ypres at Easter and Whitsuntide again
proved very popular, and in spite of broken weather conditions they were both
enjoyed to the full. No praise can be too high for the way in which the war
cemeteries are kept, which is a great consolation to those whose main objective is
to visit the last resting-places of relatives and comrades.
Half-day charabanc tours were organized by our representatives, Messrs. W.
and C. J. Parmiter, to whom special thanks are due for the infinite trouble they
took in connection with our visits to the graves and battlefields. A most inter
esting itinerary was mapped out as followsYpres, St. Jean, St. Julien, Canadian
Memorial, Vancouver Cross-roads, Gravenstafel, Passchendaele Ridge, Tyne Cot,
Broodseinde, Becelaere, Gheluvelt, Inverness Copse, Clapham Junction, Hooge,
Sanctuary Wood, Hill 62, Birr Cross-roads, Hell Fire Corner, Zillebeke, Hill 60,
Transport Farm, Shrapnel Corner, and back by the Lille Gate.
At 9 p.m. the parties attended the sounding of the "Last Post" at the Menin
Gate, a most impressive little ceremony, and the buglers of the Ypres Fire Brigade
are to be congratulated on their efficiency.
The Free Pilgrimage of poor mothers, widows, and next-of-kin, whose inclu
sive expenses were defrayed by the Ypres League, was organized to coincide with
the Special Service held at Ypres on June 7th, an account of which appears on
the first page of this journal.
The deserving cases were carefully selected from Sheffield, Kent, and London,
and found great consolation in being granted the opportunity to visit the graves of
their dear ones. Those who had no graves to see because their relatives were
among the missing," were comforted when they discovered the names on the
beautiful memorials of the Menin Gate, Tyne Cot, and Ploegsteert.
Mrs. S. E. Styring wrote to the Sheffield Independent as followsThe whole
four days were full of surprises and pleasure. I visited the grave of my son, which
was beautiful. I can assure all who lost anyone that all the graves are beautifully
kept. We made a motor tour of the battlefields and also visited the Menin Gate.
The travelling and the hotel accommodation were everything one could desire.
Thanking all who were concerned in this never-to-be-forgotten visit
Very grateful thanks are extended to Col. H. V. Combs, and to Capt. J.
Wilkinson, who went to no end of trouble in selecting the deserving cases from
Kent and Sheffield respectively. It is the Ypres League's greatest wish to continue
this charitable work, but of course much depends on being able to raise sufficient
funds.
