THE YPRES TIMES memory of the late Field-Marshal Viscount Plumer, who was with us on the 1931 parade, the last public occasion of his life. Following the address, the Lament was played by the pipers of the 1st Bn. Scots Guards. The last notes of the pipes died away into a dead silence, broken almost immediately by the clear, thrilling notes of the most moving of all bugle calls The Last Post," while men stood bareheaded and motionless, heedless of wind and rain. The rain ceased as the whole parade, headed by the band, formed in procession, and marched to the Cenotaph, where Field-Marshal Viscount Allenby laid the Ypres League wreath. The wreath-bearers were Major G. R. P. Roupell, V.C., East Surrey Regiment, and Sergeant O. Brooks, V.C., late Coldstream Guards, while the Ypres League banner and flag were borne by Lieut. W. A. White, V.C., late M.G.C., and Lieut. Michael O'Leary, V.C., late Connaught Rangers. At the conclusion of the parade, a party of members and friends of the League, headed by four of the V.Cs., placed a wreath on the grave of the Unknown Warrior. The service was conducted by Canon C. S. Woodward, M.C., who also paid a tribute to the memory of Lord Plumer. It has been said that in maintain ing these annual parades we are fostering the militarist spirit. Surely, all our members must rise in refutation of such a charge. In keeping alive the memory and spirit of the comradeship learned in the war, we believe we do our part in preparing the only sure road to peace on earth, the growth of good will and the spirit of peace in men's hearts. Only so can we really keep faith with those we honour. Other wise the memory of the horror and sacrifices of Ypres must eventually be blotted out by future tragedies, the magnitude of which may well be beyond our imagination. Photo [By kind permission of The Sport General Press Agency, Ltd. FIELD-MARSHAL VISCOUNT ALLENBY LAYING THE YPRES LEAGUE WREATH AT THE CENOTAPH.

HISTORISCHE KRANTEN

The Ypres Times (1921-1936) | 1933 | | pagina 7