Book Review
214
THE YPRES TIMES
obscure but very pretty little cemetery is set deeply in the wood and the many
narrow paths makes it difficult to locate. During the long trek through the
wood. Joe could be heard estimating the reduction in weight he had been able
to effect as a result of the walk, but agreed that the sight of the wonderful
colouring of the many flowers now in full bloom in the three cemeteries was
worth every inch of the journey.
The next port of call was the notorious Armentières, probably best remembered
by the ladies of the party who appeared to be immensely tickled by the
systematic but general scrutiny of the Douane officials when crossing the frontier
again into France. After much effort tea was obtained here for those that way
inclined and then, following a raid on a nearby stall for pomtnes de terrc
frites the route was taken to Lens (mining area) and Vimy Ridge where a stay
of some thirty minutes was made to permit the party to inspect the Grange
Tunnels and the new Canadian Memorial shortly to be unveiled. When home
was reached at 10.20 p.m. the waiters at the Moderne appeared more pleased
than the pilgrims since dinner had been kept since 7.30 p.m. After such a
tiring day not many see you laters could be heard following the dinner,
but it is believed that a few of the ex-tommy element contrived to spend a
convivial hour together at a neighbouring estaminet exchanging reminiscences in
connection with the places visited that day.
On Whit Monday the whole party of twenty-five undertook a tour of the
Somme battlefields and outstanding memorials covering some ninety odd miles.
Primary places of interest included Beaumont Hamel (Newfoundland Park) with its
original trenches and war debris, Albert, where a very pleasant hour was spent,
La Boisselle, site of the second largest mine crater, Delville Wood (Memorial to
the South Africans), Trones Wood, High Wood, Combles, Longueval, Pozières,
Martinpuich and Bapaume. None of the party were unduly limited to any special
time when visiting either graves, memorials, or noted battlefield spots, and
everyone appeared happily indifferent to returning again late for dinner, this
time 9.45 p.m. in lieu of the customary set continental hour for this repast of
7.30 p.m., once more to the chagrin of the French waiters.
These two motor tours were conspicuous for the exceptional number of
interesting spots visited, together with the buoyant spirit of the party throughout
which was due in no small measure to one of our party wits, an old Nottingham
ex-service stalwart, namely, Mr. O. H. Weatherall.
Praise was given to the efficient service and general comfort at the Hotel
Moderne, and the pilgrims voted the whole trip an immense success.
Many flattering comments on the tour could be heard aboard the boat on the
return journey with sincere expression to join further Ypres League pilgrimages
in the not distant future.
THE PILL-BOXES OF FLANDERS."
This little book, which is published by Messrs. Ivor Nicholson Watson, for the British Legion,
is now ready and is on sale to the public.
It contains full particulars as to the history and construction of the German pill-box and corrobora
tion of various details was obtained from General Von Salzenberg who, as Commander of the Pioneers
of the 15th Corps, was responsible for the building of the earlier examples.
The largest numbers of these pill-boxes are to be found in the vicinity of St. Julien and astride the
main road to Bruges, and here it is still possible to get a very complete idea of the skilful way in which
the Germans planned their defensive system. There are no less than 112 of these still standing, the
majority of which were taken on July 31st, 1917, by the 55th (West Lancashire) and 39th Divisions.
