Ypres Day in Paris
142
THE YPRES TIMES
hot air which rushed out when the hatches were opened on arrival at Imbros
did not smell like lavender or roses. A hawser was passed round the deck
passengers to prevent us falling into the sea. It was a good thing that this was
done, as in spite of the cold we all dozed off at times, and but for its restraint
should very likely have rolled across the few feet of deck separating us from
our ship's side. As a matter of fact I do not think we shipped any sea water at all
during our voyage, none certainly came my way, so that luckily we escaped risk
and discomfort on that head.
We wallowed on through the night and after what seemed an interminable
time, though it could not have been more than two hours, dawn broke, and we
found that we were heading straight for Kephalo, which we reached safely in
due course.
May I be allowed to say, Well done, Captain, and well done, Bill," for
surely it was no mean thing to bring a lighter from Helles to Imbros in a gale.
Anyway we soldiers, who were your passengers, think so, and will ever be
thankful that we had your seamanship to aid us that night.
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On behalf of the Ypres League, a wreath was placed on the Tomb of the Unknown
Warrior, at the Arc de Triomphe, bearing the following inscription
TO THE MEMORY OF OUR GALLANT
FRENCH COMRADES WHO DIED IN
THE IMMORTAL DEFENCE OF YPRES
1914-1918
FROM
THE YPRES LEAGUE
The ceremony was performed by Lieut.-Colonel Beckles Willson, accompanied by
Brigadier-General Stanley H. Ford, Military Attaché at the American Embassy, Paris.
N.B.The Chairman and Committee of the Ypres League desire to express their very grateful
thanks to Colonel Beckles Willson, and General Stanley Ford for their great kindness in holding this
touching ceremony at their personal initiative and expense, to commemorate the twelfth anniversary
of the League.
