THE YPRES TIMES 92 sent to France, and on September 30th, 1917, reported the first American casualties. The Regiment fought with distinction near Cambrai and Peronne, on one occasion, being far up in front repairing railroad lines, when the enemy counter-attacked and the Engineers had to fight with picks and shovels until able to reach their base where their arms were. In 1918 the Regiment was around Arras and Béthune, eventually being attached to the First Army participating in the Meuse, St. Mihiel and Argonne offensive. During these engagements General Parsons was promoted from Major to Colonel, and in May, 1919, when he was mustered out, he was placed in the Reserves with the rank of Brigadier-General. The four- track railway which carried the American troops from the French coast to the front was General Parsons' work and for this he received the Victory Medal with five clasps and a citation for conspicuous service from the United States, the Distinguished Service Order from Great Britain, the Order of the Crown from Belgium and the Legion of Honour from France. When tackled in later years for his recipe for success, he would reply that he thought his life had been a failure since he had failed utterly to discover any substitute for hard work. We are very touched to learn from Captain Bland that in many instances the scroll certificate of membership is so highly treasured by prominent military men in America. As an example Colonel Edward Olmsted and Captain Charles Wood have given their certificates priority in the place of honour of their private studies. The headquarters of the Ypres League in London owe a deep debt of gratitude to Colonel Olmsted for the devoted interest and valuable time he has so generously given to the welfare of the League in America. It is also pleasing to hear that serious con sideration is being given to the holding of a dinner at Washington in the autumn on similar lines to the one so successfully held in New York, March, 1931, with a view to the inauguration of a strong branch in that city. We wish the promoters every success in their faithful endeavours and look forward to the pleasure of giving our members further informa tion on the subject in the columns of the next quarterly edition of the Ypres Times. Our American members will be interested to know that on the occasion of the Ypres League Annual Reunion Dinner in London, General Sir Hubert Gough, who presided, specially ex pressed to all members present his delight in the steady growth of the Ypres League in America and emphasized the importance of maintaining the cordial relationship between the two countries. The General's reference to the New York Branch as being the best dug-out of the Ypres League drew the loudest applause of the evening. LONDON COUNTY COMMITTEE. Reunion Dinner and Dance. The Eighth Annual Reunion Dinner and Dance was held on Saturday, April 30th at the Royal Hotel, Woburn Place, W.C.i, and thanks are due to the management for the excellent arrange ments. The large mixed gathering of members and their friends were received by Lieut.-General Sir W. C. Heneker, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., D.S.O., who took the chair. General Heneker, an old Life Member of the League, had just returned from a long term of office in India, and it was a great pleasure to have him amongst us, and we valued his practical support on this occasion. Berry's Band was in attendance, gave popular musical numbers during the dinner, and played admirably for the dance which followed, when Mr. E. G. Holmes kindly acted as M.C. After the toast to His Majesty the King, a one-minute silence was observed in memory of Absent Friends." The Chairman then rose to propose the toast to The London County Committee," congratulated them on having mustered such a splendid gathering, and said what a pleasure it was for him to preside and to come in close touch again with the League's work. He wished it continued success. Major Montague Jones, Chairman of the London County Committee, in a short, spirited reply, thanked the General for his kindness in accepting the Chair, and gave a summary of the London activities, emphasizing the hard work done by members of his Committee, mentioning the name, in particular, of Mr. J. Boughey, which met with prolonged and deserving applause. Major Jones concluded with a strong appeal for the increase of membership in the London District, and then proposed the health of General Sir William Heneker who, after expressing his sincere thanks, told some witty and really good stories of his experiences in the Ypres Salient, one of which describing a visit of certain eminent politicians (whose names he did not disclose) to the Canal bank, kept the company in roars of laughter. At the conclusion of the General's remarks an adjournment was made to the ballroom where a very happy time was spent. Those who did not brave the floor were equally busy exchanging their war reminiscences and enjoying the friendly atmosphere of an exceed ingly successful function which was brought to a close at a late but all too early hour. During the evening an anonymous friend generously gave a Derby Sweepstake ticket as a prize for a Spot Dance, but unhappily the excited winners reaped no harvest from having won the ticket

HISTORISCHE KRANTEN

The Ypres Times (1921-1936) | 1932 | | pagina 30