SKINDLES HOTEL
A. Skinner,
YPRES
at
2ió
THE YPRES TIMES
where Mrs. Skindles was the star of the eveningshe sang in French, she sang in
English, then sang a bit of eachand when they told us we would have to close
the piano at eleven (Mrs. Douane again, I suspect!), well, it seemed like going to
bed after lunch.
Underhill, who, besides being a keen member of the Ypres League, is also, I
believe, a deacon (or a relation of one) down Purley way, certainly did save our
reputation by seeking the arms of Morpheus (Mrs. Undy. was not with us, of
course), but, luckily, Bob Barnes, who dispenses overdrafts in a bank in the
purlieus of Brixton, thought he knew a dance club that might be open.
As a matter of fact, he did not, but it took us until nearly 2 a.m. to find this
out, and when we got back to the hotel we found that Mrs. Skindles had given us
the garage key by mistakeoh, we were popular, when they came down to
admit us.
Sunday morning we attended service at the British Church, afterwards
marching to the Menin Gate for a short service conducted by Mr. Milner, and then
James Crook, our Chairman, laid a wreath on the section set apart for the
R.A.M.C.
A little shopping, and then Mr. Parminter generously ran us into Pop,"
where we were entertained at Toe Hafterwards tea, admirably served by fourteen
of our own party, and an aged retainer (about 108 years old), who is apparently
bought and sold with the establishment when it changes hands.
Waiting on Pop Station for our train, we endeavoured to cement the
Entente a bit more by proffering a native Abeeleian our tobacco pouch, and it was
quite like old times to watch him cram about an ounce and a half of good tobacco
into a small pipe, meanwhile making noises of appreciation in Flemish that we did
not understand, but which sounded like a particularly bad change in the gear-box.
Dunkirk once more, and a delightful reception at the Seamen's Institute, then
more food and, finally, Wally Taylor's sleep-impelling bunks and a hurried scramble
for the train at Tilbury.
St. Pancras saw sad farewells, but the memory of the week-end will live a long
while. We cannot say how much we thank the Ypres League, especially Capt.
G. E. de Trafford and our own organizer, Walter F. Taylor, but we owe a deep
debt of gratitude to all for the wonderful organization and charming and efficient
handling oi the arrangements for our comfort and enjoyment.
Hon. Secretary, 85th Club.
Branch
Proprietor
Life
Poperinghe
Member,
[close to Talbot
House)
Y pres League
{Opposite the Station
