THE YPRES TIMES
201
Photo] [Antony, Ostmd
HILL 60 IN WAR-TIME.
Hill 60 in 1914 was merely a low ridge some 150 feet high, and 250 yards from end to end, formed
artificially when the railway cutting was dug. Its military importance was due to its being the
highest point in this area and consequently commanding views in every direction."
The Battle Book of Ypres.
Several V.Cs. were awarded for valour on this hill.
Written after a Visit to Hill 60, June 4th, 1933.
So bravely breaks the golden-gorse
Upon the hill again
That we can see in Nature's mood
An easement of all pain.
Ah, who could guess when standing here
That men in fury fought,
And held their wills, and gave their lives,
To hold a place long sought
This little hill that any child
With careless, happy laughter
Could make in one long, gallant run,
Is left to fame hereafter.
Here late was mud, and long churned earth,
But also roots that bore
A flaming bush to victory
From out the insensate maw.
R. Henderson-Bland,
late Gloucestershire Regiment.
