what does it stand for
THE YPRES TIMES
Yet not all of those in whose honour we keep Ypres Day were the young and keen.
On this parade we were reminded only too well of the figure of our late President.
When we saw him out there he was already the seasoned veteran, with hair and
moustache whitened through years of campaigning before some of those he led were
born, but now Lord Plumer has passed, as we like to think, to the head of that
great army of whom it is no exaggeration to say—they loved him welland we of the
Ypres League, as a personal gesture of tribute to Lord Plumer, are making a great
effort to recruit new members to the League's ranks. It is some years now since
soldiers were "demobbed" and scattered all over the earth, yet the bond of comrade
ship, forged in the fires of the Salient, holds them still, and they have joined up
againnot for war, but for commemoration and mutual service, believing in the value
of that comradeship in these difficult and troublous times.
S. H. K. G.
ON Armistice Day I paraded at Wellington Barracks at 9.30 a.m. to join the
Ypres League Section with the column in its march to the Cenotaph. The
parade was in charge of Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Charles Madden. The
Guards, with their usual superb efficiency, handled the parade in a fine manner.
During the war I had paraded as a Company Commander at Wellington
Barracks, and I recaptured something as I walked on to that Parade Ground. Was
there ever such a column as this? I think not. Every station in life was repre
sented, and every man had taken the knockin the line. The night before
the parade I received from a sergeant of my old Battaliona man I had not seen
or heard from since the March fighting in it>i8a letter that opened as follows
With the near approach of another anniversary of Armistice Day, naturally our minds go
back to the days out yonder,' and the people with whom we spent our days."
The letter went on to tell me of the deaths of sergeants who had served under
me. Now I suppose that letter is typical of thousands received by officers and men
all over the country. It speaks of the spirit animating the men on that parade.
I noticed one man whose clothing and boots were in a lamentable state but he was
bearing himself with a pride that was good to see. Did it not bring back the self-
respect of that man to chat with men who had served in the line as he had served
in the days when the country was threatened? Of course it did.
One thing was mentioned with a note of bitterness, and that was the fact
that the War Office had made no issue of Battle Clasps." I took the matter
up with the Press, and their report to me was to the effect that the War Office
received very few letters about the matter from officers and men. Why should
officers and men write to the War Office about such a matter? I see a great deal of
ex-service men, and I can assure the War Office that it is a very real grievance
with them.
The Band of the Coldstream Guards, and Drums and Fifes of the 2nd Battalion
of the Scots Guards led the first half of the column; the Band of the Grenadier
Guards and Drums of the 2nd Battalion of Grenadier Guards led the second half.
The route to the Cenotaph was Birdcage Walk, Horse Guards Arch and Whitehall.
His Majesty The King laid a wreath on the Cenotaph, and then the Bishop of
London offered a prayer. Leading the March Past at the Cenotaph we returned
to Wellington Barracks.
