League Secretary's Notes
THE YPRES TIMES
153
ravaged plantings. Close at hand the stump of the mill chimney rose through the
mist. The German artillery used it as a zero point, a fixed mark upon which they
could register their guns, and though it was so often their target there was a substantial
amount left. The shell-fire had fetched the bricks tumbling about the base, which was
now twice or three times the size of the original chimney. We were just about to enter
the old building when we stopped.. Someone was calling. We moved on irresolutely
a step and then stopped again. There was another hail. We moved back towards
the houses and stared at them. Then I recogized the voice of the major calling me.
I could not see him, but assumed he must be looking out of the slit. Hurry
he shouted.
We both ran back to the road and into Vierstraat. I climbed the ladder to the
O.P. and found the major squatting there, and then I saw that the mist was rapidly
clearing. Already the top of the little fruit-tree was sticking out of the swathe, and
I saw that we should have been plainly visible if we had stopped a minute longer. As
I listened meekly to Byron's admonition a German shell came over and burst in a pink
cloud at the base of the chimney. Good shooting," the major said. The war had
started again.
D. B.
We now enter the 15th Anniversary year of
the life of the Ypres League with the optimism
that our Association, with the staunch support
of is faithful members, will continue to cement
the valuable ground recovered in 1934, which year
introduced a distinct note of welcome confidence
after a period of many difficulties brought about
as a result of the world's trade depression.
Members can be assured that headquarters are
determined to strive even harder than ever to
establish the good position that has momentarily
been created, and this can be achieved by inviting
the united co-operation in 44 recruiting," because
the sole source of the League's revenue is the
annual membership subscription on which the
life of the League depends. Before attempting
to increase the membership we must first of all
focuss our attention on filling up the gaps made
by the regrettable number of our sup
porters who pass away each year, and 1934 has
proved all too prominent in this respect. It is
most touching to report that quite a number of
our ex-service members, though being out of
employment, are keeping themselves on the 44 live
register by paying their five shillings for the
year in instalments, and we are indeed very
grateful to their stout hearts and fine example.
Much gratitude is extended to a great number
of our annual subscribers who have contributed
donations over and above their annual subscrip
tions with the wish that the balance should go
towards the 44 Ypres Times Maintenance Fund,"
and in many cases to 44 The Poor Pilgrims'
Fund," established for the purpose of assisting
financially, specially selected poor mothers to
vjsit, for the first time, the graves of their sons
at Ypres, and it is our earnest hope that adequate
funds will enable us to reduce our waiting list
during 1935. We are greatly encouraged to feel
that the League's charitable work is so well
approved.
In the January, 1934 edition of this journal,
we appealed to all members to notify head
quarters in the event of changing their addresses,
and we are pleased to say that the response has
enabled us to keep our records up-to-date and
we hope that members will continue to advise
us similarly in the future.
A very hearty expression of thanks goes to
our Branches, Corresponding Members and in
dividual supporters who have worked so hard for
us in the old year, and Mr. S. C. Allen-Olney is
to be specially complimented for his valuable
work in respect of the Junior Branch.
The prospects for 1935 are decidedly promising
in all departments, and there could not be a
more fitting gesture than for our united efforts
to record an even more successful year in loyal
and respectful acknowledgement of the Jubilee
of our Patron-in-Chief, His Majesty the King.
In conclusion we ask all our members to kindly
accept our very best wishes for good health and
happiness in the New Year.
