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