193a Recruiting Competition.
76
THE YPRES TIMES
Everyone visiting the Salient brings away a different impression. Here are
a few of ours
(1) Astonishment that even though Armistice was declared thirteen and a half years ago, the
terrible morass of shell-holes, craters and trenches could have been flattened out, and the
ground cultivated, so that except for a newish look in the buildings, as well as the odd
German pill-box, left undemolished and now visible in unexpected places here and there,
there is little left to indicate the ravaged state of the country we all knew in 1914-1918.
(2) The depth of the Menin Gate. Most of us thought it a sort of Marble Arch," and did not
realize that it was forty-seven measured paces long, and further had a large gallery. Nor
did we appreciate its majestic solemnity.
(3) The Last Post played at the Menin Gate by two buglers every night at 8. Superb.
(4) The quantity of bodies still being dug up everywhere.
(5) The noise and aggressiveness expressed in the sounding of the horns of motor-cars in towns
even though no other vehicle was in sight, also the poor road mannersno waving on of
faster vehicles about to pass, etc.
(6) The regimental crests on each gravestone.
(7) The superlative touch of dignity in the wording on the gravestonesalas so often "To
a British Soldier who fell in the Great War, 1914-1918. Known unto God."
(8) How absurdly overlooked the British trenches and the city of Ypres were, from all the
surrounding ridgesPasschendaele, Messines, etc.
(9) The almost entire absence of British motor-cars in Belgium and Northern France. In four
days we only saw one.
(10) Why had we waited so long before making this pilgrimage
Well, it was a great trip. Thank you, Captain de Trafford, for your powers
of organizing which helped to make it so pleasant. Thank you, companions of
the journey for keeping it so cheery.
Yarrl.
Owing to the great success and popularity of our 1931 Competition, we have
decided to offer two prizes, each of £5, to be awarded as follows
(1) To any Ypres League Member or Corresponding Member
(2) To any Branch Secretary
For the greatest number of new members recruited from
January 1st to December 31st, 1932.
All membership forms completed must be received at Headquarters, bearing on
the top left-hand corner, the name and address of the person or branch, whichever the
case may be, responsible for the recruitments.
