110
THE YPRES TIMES
now saw the enormous mine crater at La Boiselle and beautiful British cemetery at
Pozières. Many reminiscences and anecdotes enlivened the remainder of the tour
and a convivial dinner party brought a memorable day to an end.
Early Réveille," breakfast, and the drawing of rations for the homeward journey,
followed in rapid succession, and we arrived at London by 3.40 p.m., where warm hand
shakes and Au re voir marked the breaking up of our party, who will long remember
all that the Ypres League did for them.
Times are difficult with many of us, but the writer would urge that every ex-
serviceman and every relative of the fallen who can possibly manage it should make a
very big effort to visit the scenes that meant so much to our Nation and ourselves.
WHAT a sight Victoria Station presented on the morning of Saturday, July 30th
crowds of pilgrims waiting for the boat trains to convey them on the first stage
of their journey to Belgium or France. All seemed to be wearing a blue corn
flower, the emblem of the Ypres League the cheery greetings all showed that true
comradeship so dearly learnt in the Salient, and yet this time the members were journey
ing farther afield than Ypres. A hearty cheer was given to Captain G. E. de Trafford,
M.C., and his party on their departure to Dover en route to Ypres, and then the trains
to convey our other pilgrimages drew in.
Two pilgrimages, one to Arras for the unveiling on Sunday, July 31st, and the other
to Amiens for the unveiling of the Thiepval Memorial. Both parties travelled to Amiens
together, and surely never was the Channel more kind than it was on that day—not
a ripple to disturb the water or the tranquility of the nerves of the most timid of those
crossing. A good run to Folkestone, and then on to the steamer, and soonmuch too
soon for some of the bolder spiritsthe harbour of Boulogne drew near, and midst
all the bustle of landing and the customs, all were soon busily engaged, some trying to
smuggle that little packet of tea, others the cigarettes. The first through were those
two old travellers, the conductors, Mr. 0. Mears and Captain H. D. Peabody, D.C.M.,
and then the fun of trying to get all together, making sure they did not get in the wrong
trains, and how the travellers laughed at their futile efforts to make a Frenchman
understand English, or even some of the very bad French which seemed to be floating
about so much.
After a hot train journey, Amiens soon came into view, and then again a sorting out.
Those who were remaining there were soon packed off under the guidance of Mrs. Oswald
to their hotels, whilst Mr. Mears adjourned to the Salle a Manger for a very much delayed
lunch, where somehow most of the Arras pilgrims seemed to be busily engaged already.
By every route, night and day, pilgrims were arriving, and Captain Peabody, in the
company of Captain Oswald (our truly splendid representative at Amiens) seemed to
spend such a lot of time at the station.
Sunday morning was spent by most in walking round the town, visiting the
cathedral, etc., and after an early lunch the charabancs arrived for a tour round the
battlefields of the Somme.
J. M. Finn.