THE YPRES TIMES
133
I venture to think that the sentiment regarding Armistice Day is as deep to-day
as it was 011 that November nth of 1920. It is argued that the actual Two
Minutes' Silence throughout the Country cannot be maintained. That may be, but
as long as this generation lasts there will always be a group gathered at the
Cenotaph on that day.
On Memorial Day in New York, 1931, I was on the Staff of Major-General
John F. O'Ryan, who took the salute, and twenty-five veterans of the Civil War
marched over the entire route of the parade. The oldest of those veterans was a
man of ninety-one years, and as they approached the Reviewing Stand some women
began strewing the road with rose leaves. How sentimental and foolish I can hear
some of you say. Not at all, gentlemen. It was strangely touching. In an
address later the former Assistant Attorney-General of New Jersey said:
We are a grateful nation. Because of the sacrifices of the men we gather to honour to-day,
we are living in the full security of peace. Let us not forget them."
The burial of The Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey on November nth,
1920, started something that touched the souls of all men, for there were none
so poor to do him reverence."
THE UNKNOWN WARRIOR
(In Memoriam)
What Mother's son is this that they bring here
With such high honour, that in all its ways
A nation halts, and dreams of fateful days
The while deep thoughts now beat about the bier
The son of every Mother, far and near
Who lost a lad in war, and gently prays.
This is the boy brought home, this hour repays
The Mother comfort finds, though falls the tear.
O, bring him on with musicbring him on,
While we re-capture for a little time
The glory of the hours when first we flung
Our banners high with hope the world upon.
He speaks of bloody sweat in every clime,
And strong love known the fighting men among.
R. Henderson-Bland.
Reprinted from The Graphic," November, 1920.
Set to music by Teresa del Riego, and sung on A rmistice Day
by Miss Stiles Allen, at the Town Hall, Woolwich.
It is argued that all Military Associations are bad thingskeeping alive the
spirit of militarism. Now I do not think this is true. Very few men who have been
seriously engaged in the line would like to see another war. No, that sort of
talk comes from men who have not seen the horrors of war, and have not been
called on to possess their souls in the very face of death.
But what does annoy soldiers is the talk of ardent pacifists who never heard
a shot fired. A short time ago a very distinguished man, addressing a convention,
said of the late war that it sent to their unmerited death millions of human
beings who had not the least notion of what the fighting was all about. That
sort of talk is an insult to the men who foughtGermans and Britishers alike.
If the gentleman in question had heard the German troops singing their songs
of triumph at night in Peronne, during their great drive in March, 1918, he might
have been excused for believing, as the British troops waiting to be attacked
again in the morning believed, that the Germans knew very well what it was all
about.
