Branch Notes THE YPRES TIMES Children's Christmas Party 155 5th Army Re-union. On Saturday evening, November 24th, a repre sentative party of some twenty to thirty members of our London Branch attended he first Trench Supper organised by the Fifth Army, 1916-18, O.C.A. The Bedford Head Hotel, Maiden Lane, Strand, W.C.2 was made headquarters for this auspicious occasion and the whole function was a marked success. The Ypres League contingent, headed by Captain C. Alliston, was accorded an extremely warm reception and emphasised another instance of the keenness of our members in supporting their old comrades in the activities of kindred Associations. The surroundings were typical of trench life as only the tommy knew itbare tables, copies on the wall of La Vie Parisienne, humerous remarks pencilled or chalked here and there, sand-bags, tin hats, etc., in fact most things that one found or did not find in dug-outs of years back. The atmosphere of trench life was re-captured again at the sight of orderlies bring ing the rations along in sand-bags following the sounding by the bugler of the familiar 44 cook house." Our now rather delicate digestions were sorely taxed with a combination of machonachies, bully- beef, ration biscuits very hard, rice and raisins, margarine, plum and apple jam, pickles, mar malade, cheese, etc., with ten sharing in one loaf. Following the sampling of the above varied ingredients, there were only a few very weak replies to the Orderly Officer's question of 44 any complaints and most interest at this period was centred on the Quarter-bloke's parade with the familiar rum-jar. It did not escape notice, however, that the evening's Orderly Sergeant fWt compelled to taste two or three times before re porting the contents suitable for issue. This of course started the gathering singing that immortal army ballad 44 If the Sergeant drinks your rum never mind," although the words applied did not seem to appear on the song-sheet. After the feed, the company settled down to enjoy an impromptu concert interspersed with full-blown rendering of favourite war-time choruses. Altogether the evening was voted an exceptionally pleasant one and then came the call for 44 stretcher-bearers." Many of the old swets could be heard asking whether there would be another held next year. N.B.The Hon. Secretary, London Branch, desir,es to express his grateful thanks to the 5th Army O.C.A. for its kind invitation and warm welcome extended to the members of th'e Ypres League at the above function; and also thanks the many members of the London Branch of the League who supported him so admirably. THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL organised by the LONDON COUNTY COMMITTEE will take place at the WESTMINSTER CITY SCHOOL, 55, PALACE ST., VICTORIA ST., S.W.I. (By permission of the Governors of the School) On SATURDAY, JANUARY 12th, 1935, at 4 p.m. Admission Junior Division Members, Free. Friends 6d. each. Application for tickets should be made to the Hon. Secretary, London County Committee, Ypres League, at 20, Orchard Street, W.I., not later than January 10th, 1935. Tea commences at 4 p.m., followed by a ventriloquist entertainment. To many children who attend, this is perhaps the only treat enjoyed by them during the Christ mas season, so we earnestly request our members' generous support to enable us to give them a real good time. Father Christmas will again be there in state, and with your kind co-operation we are looking forward to seeing him supplied with a sufficient number of toys to ensure 'each child receiving at least one present from his bag. Gifts of toys or donations will be very grate fully received and welcomed by the Hon. Secre tary, London County Committee, Ypres League, 20, Orchard Street, London, W»l. If members are in the vicinity of Palace Street, Westminster on the evening of January 12th, they are cordially invited to pay us a visit and join in the fun with the kiddies. Informal Gatherings. At the Bedford Hotel on October 18th last, an exceedingly instructive lantern lecture on 44 Sea Power was delivered through the kindness of the Navy League, by Lieut.-Commander D. S. E. Thompson, R.N., and which was followed with keen interest. Our November gathering welcomed Mr. Walter J. Morrison who gave us a talk on 44 Five Years with the Y.M.C.A. in France and his numerous slides enabled us to realise the great work accom plished by that organisation during the Great War. W'e are glad to say that Mr. Morrison has promised to favour us with a further talk on some future occasion. The December Informal was very kindly arranged by Mr. O. Mears of headquarters and to whom we express our grateful thanks and con-

HISTORISCHE KRANTEN

The Ypres Times (1921-1936) | 1935 | | pagina 29