THE YPRES TIMES
27
London members with a first-rate December
entertainment during the past four consecutive
years.
Notice of forthcoming gatherings appears on
page 28.
We are glad to hear that Mr. A. R. Ford has
recovered from his serious illness, but we much
regret his resignation from the Committee,
necessitated through his decision to live away
from London, and in recognition of his faithful
services to the Ypres League for the past six
years, the Committee have unanimously awarded
him a certificate of merit.
We also regret to announce the illness of Mr.
L. H. Tunbridge, one of our very staunch
London members, and we trust that he will soon
be restored to good health.
The London County Committee extends the
compliments of the season to all its members
whom, it is hoped, will continue to favour them
with their loyal support during the year 1936.
CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY.
The Twelfth Annual Christmas Children's
Party organised by the London County Commit
tee, takes place at the Westminster City School,
55, Palace Street, London, S.W., by kind per
mission of the Governors of the School, on
Saturday, January 4th. A full report will appear
in the April edition of the Ypres Times. The
Committee convey their very sincere thanks
to all who have so generously subscribed, and
the Hon. Secretary would be most grateful for
any further donations towards the cost of this
function.
ANNUAL SMOKING CONCERT.
Minus the wonderful comradie that existed
among the legions who withstood the German
onslaught for four years in the dreaded Ypres
Salient and the complete confidence in one to
another as comrades, perhaps the successful
defence of Ypres against such odds might very
well have been an unwritten page in our history.
Crouched in a front line trench, chilled to the
bone, wet by incessant rain, water knee-deep,
nerves jarred almost beyond endurance by
concussion of high explosives and minnies
to the staccato music of those hateful machine
guns, a mud-covered rifle that might fail to
work in the expected enemy attack, how possibly
could one carry on Well, one just did the
knowledge that there was a khaki-clad chum
somewhere near-by, often in a worse plight than
your own and yet ever ready to help was a
wonderful source of comfort and inspiration.
A picture of the good times ahead in old Blighty
as depicted by doleful Bert." with his imaginary
sumptuous banquets, the cheerful cockney wit
of Slinger Jones interspersed with droll and
exceptional humorous wisecracks of Scotty
all helped to maintain one's spirit during those
testing periods. No wonder that these old
comrades of the line, mostly amateur soldiers, of
the greatest war in history, who shared so
cheerfully such ordeals over so long a period
for the love of their King and Country, look
forward so much to a re-union of their erst
while brothers-in-arms.
Many find it possible to give expression to
these feelings through the medium of the Ypres
League whose London Branch, as a reshlt of its
annual re-union Smoking Concert, enables old
pals to foregather in convivial atmosphere with
the additional attraction of an entertainment of
melody and mirth. For this privilege we owe
much to that splendid organisation, the Ypres
League, who have worked to commemorate the
valorous deeds of our departed brothers apart
from fostering that fine spirit of fellowship of
the trenches which we old Tommies still treasure.
Under the Presidency of the popular London
County Committee Chairman, Major E. Mon
tague Jones, O.B.E., M.A., some five hundred
members and friends gathered at the Caxton
Hall, Westminster, on Saturday, October 26th,
for the Thirteenth Annual Re-union Smoking
Concert. A number of distinguished guests
were present, including General de Brigade R.
Voruz, Military Attaché, American Embassy
Lieut.-Colonel Raymond E. Lee, Military Attaché
American Embassy Lieut.-General Sir W. P.
Pulteney, G.C.V.O., K.C.B., K.C.M.G., D.S.O.,
and Major W. H. Brooke, M.C. H.E. The
Belgian Ambassador, was unavoidably absent
owing to the mourning for the late Queen
Astrid this being the first occasion since the
inauguration of the Smoking Concerts that His
Excellency has not been present, and a message
of regret was read by the Chairman to a silent
and sympathetic audience. The American
Ambassador also kindly sent a message regretting
his absence and conveying personal greetings
together with warm-hearted rememberance of
the people of his country for their comrades of
the Ypres League. After the sounding of the
General Salute by trumpeters of the Legion
of Frontiersmen, the gathering settled down to
a most entertaining programme provided by
The Rogues Concert Party, under the
direction of Mr. Bart Brady. A feature of xhe
programme was an impression of an old time
music hall, Mr. A. E. Nickolds being in his
happiest vein as the old time music hall
chairman. His dry humour and many asides
to the waitresses for just one more drink, evoked
roars of laughter from the audience.
During the evening a message of loyalty was
sent to His Majesty The King and the Royal
reply was read by the Chairman.
Major Montague Jones then spoke briefly on
the London Branch activities during the past
year and paid tribute to its Honorary Secretary,
Mr. J. Boughey, and the Committee who have
worked so indefatigably in arranging the annual
functions and monthly Informal Gatherings
which have proved so helpful in maintaining the
strength of the London Branch. Reference
was also made to the sterlin0 work performed at
the League headquarters.
