THE YPRES TIMES
August Bank Holiday Pilgrimages
116
Maybe some of the party will carry out their promises to keep in touch by
correspondence with people they met, for this trip has made us realise that the objects-
of the Ypres League are very worthy ones, and that each individual can add his weight
towards their achievement.
The one regret is that we allowed so many years to elapse between visits.
H. B. S.
The Ypres League pilgrimages and tours of the Battlefields of France and Flanders
are in no way receding with the passing of years, in fact 1934 has found larger musters of
members and friends participating.
At August Bank Holiday, despite the disadvantageous rate of the sterling abroad
we were successful in being able to organise and conduct two parties to Ypres by the day
and night route respectively and a third party to Arras. In each case the battlefield
motor tours were organised in accordance with the combined wishes of each member of
the party, and those who had cemeteries to visit en route were afforded ample time in
which to fulfil their sacred duties. It was touching to watch the personal interest shown
by the other pilgrims of the party and their anxiety to share in some small way the
sorrow endured by the bereaved relatives whenever a particular grave was visited. The
cemeteries were all very beautiful notwithstanding the long period of drought, and great
credit is due to our ex-service gardeners of the Imperial War Graves Commission who-
take such devoted interest and pride in their arduous and lonely tasks.
The Ypres"dayroute"partywassixtyfourstrong under the faithful andfriendly guid
ance of Mr. SH. K. Geiler. Quite a number of this party who had re-visited Ypres periodi
cally since the war found a further advancement in the reconstruction of the famous City's
Cloth Hall Tower. After attending the sounding of the "Last Post" each night at the
Menin Gate, some of the pilgrims walked out to their various old battle haunts while
others found amusement in the Thuindag Fair which was in full swing in the Grande
Place. Sunday afternoon was spent on a tour of Ypres Salient passing such places as St.
Jean, Wieltje, St. Julien, Gravenstafel, Tyne Cot (Passchendaele), Broodseinde, Bece-
laere, Clapham Junction, Observatory Ridge, Hill 60 etc., and on the Monday a whole
day charabanc expedition was made over the battlefields from Ypres to Viiny Ridge
via Wytschaete Ridge, Messines, Ploegsteert, Armentieres, Neuve Chapelle, La Bassee
and Lens, and the return journey via Arras, Faubourg d'Amiens Memorial to the
"Missing" and on through Bethune, Estaires, Bailleul, Dranoutre and Kemmel reaching"
Ypres again about 7 p.m.
The Ypres night route party of members of the 2nd North Midland Old Boys (46th
Division) from Stoke-on-Trent was conducted by Captain de Trafford, an account of
which appears on page 114.
The Arras party was ably shepherded by Mr. O. Mears, and a full programme with
even more extended motor itineraries because the cemeteries are very scattered in the
Arras and Somme districts. The following places were visitedAyette, Bucquoy,
Beaumont Hamel (Newfoundland Park), Thiepval, Ovillers, La Boiselle, Aveluy Wood,
Albert, Pozieres, Longueval, Combles, Ginchy, Les Boeufs, Le Transloy, Bapaume,
Louveral, Boursies, Cambrai, Marquion, Vis-en-Artois, Monchy, Neuville St Vaast,
Arras Memorial, Vimy Ridge (Grange Tunnels and Canadian Memorial) Givenchy,
Souchez, Notre Dame de Lorette (French Memorial) and Mont St. Eloy.
Many kind letters of appreciation have been received at headquarters from those
who took part in the above mentioned tours, and it is pleasing to hear that no small
number have already expressed the hope of being able to embark on another trip next
year and also to persuade their friends to join them.
The Secretary.
