85th Club Tour
THE YPRES TIMES
80
On the other hand, the Germans had sustained appalling losses. Their attacks were
generally made in close order and several times we saw whole companies practically
annihilated by our accurate marksmanship.
If only our artillery, sadly hampered by the mist, had been able to obtain better
observation in the early part of the morning, and been able to find more advantageous
positions than the configuration of the ground on our side allowed, the result of the battle
would have been very different, and it is conceivable that we might even have gained
possession of the Chemin Des Dames, which was the key to the whole position, and given
the Germans no option but to continue their rearward movement.
The German artillery on the other hand were not handicapped by the mist to any
great extent, more especially as they unhesitatingly fired on both combatants when any
doubt existed as to the exact position of their own troops.
J. G. W. H.
THE 85th Club has just paid its fifth annual visit to Ypres, but pressure of business
prevented a number of keen members from taking part, so on May 25th, nineteen
of us started our journey from Victoria by the 11 p.m. service (night route)
accompanied by the League's Secretary, Captain de Trafford.
We were blessed with a calm crossing between Folkestone and Dunkerque, and at
Hazebrouck we refreshed ourselves with coffee and rolls before boarding the slow Belgian
train for Ypres. Just before we reached Poperinghe we passed the Old Military Cemetery
by the railway line where one of our comrades lies buried—then the Sacré Cceur Asylum,
our billet in 1915, is on our right as we approach Ypres.
On arrival at Skindles Hotel we were accorded the usual hearty welcome by Madame
and her efficient staff, and after a good English breakfast we boarded Captain Parminter's
cars for a battlefield tour.
An interesting trip was in store for us this year, for we had with us Captain J. G. W.
Hyndson, M.C., late of the Loyal North Lanes, who served through the Aisne, the Marne,
the Retreat from Mons and the first Battle of Ypres. We passed through Potijze, Zonnebeke
and Gheluvelt where Captain Hyndson showed us the very fields on which his battalion
fought, and described the German break-through, our rally before Hooge, the historic
charge of the Worcesters, the retaking of Gheluvelt and the desperate fighting in the
chateau grounds where gallant General Fitzclarence, V.C., fell leading his Brigade towards
Polygon Wood. We continued our journey to Westoutre to visit the grave of a comrade.
Passing Hooggraaf, a place of our encampment during the first gas attack, and
eventually reached Cassel for an excellent meal provided by the Hotel Sauvage.
After lunch we climbed up to the Chateau grounds, now a public park, from where the
clear visibility afforded us a magnificent panoramic view of the Ypres Salient and we were
even able to locate the Vimy Ridge, a distance of approximately thirty-five miles. Here,
on the summit of Cassel, stands the fine equestrian statue of Marshal Foch gazing out
towards the battle area, a replica of this memorial has been erected in Grosvenor Gardens,
London.
Our next halt was Talbot House, Poperinghe of sacred memory, a haven of rest
to many, both during and since the war. A beautiful garden lies at the back of the
Old House, just now, full of many flowering shrubs and all kept trim and neat. Following
tea at Skindles we proceed via Elverdinghe to Boesinghe and the Pilckem Ridge from
where Captain Hyndson gave us a vivid account of the 1914 Bixchoote scrap, and after
a stop at Essex Farm we reached Ypres in time for dinner at which we welcomed the
Rev. G. R. Milner and Mr. W. Parminter as guests. At 9 o'clock we all lined up at the
Menin Gate for the Last Post perfectly rendered by two buglers of the Ypres Fire