VISITS TO THE GRAVES OF THE FALLEN

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 29, 29 October 1920, Page 11

VISITS TO THE GRAVES OF THE FALLEN

PARTICULARS OF Y.M.CA. SCHEME

With the object of preventing profiteerthe expense Cf thosa whose great desire it is to yisit the graves of the fallen in Prance and Flanders, the British Y.M.C.A. h«9 established-along the old Western front a series of eleven, hostels (adapted 'huts) providing. accommodation for a limited number of visitors. The coastal, points at which there are hostels are Calais, Boulogne, and Etaples, whila the "forward'-area"-locations are •Ypres, Armentieres,' Bethune, An'as, Amiens, Albert, Cambrai, .ind Peronne. In a pamphlet issued by the British Y.MC.A.,-. it is explained that "a tariff has been arrived'at which .represents, as far as can. be ascertained, the cost of Hie visit. Should any balance ' remain after some, months' operations, this •will be devoted to the assistance of -those who are not in a position to pay the whole expenses of the journey." "It' should be noted," proceeds this pamphlet, "that the undertaking of ,a visit is likely to prove, a hopeless quest without having obtained from the. Imperial War Graves Commission, Winchester House, St! James Square, London, S.W., not only the name of the.cemetery in which the grave is located, but- also the number and the row. The association is not prepared as a general ruio to accept booking from- anyone who is not in possession of this information, but iu special cases, where tho persons' are prepared toi proceed on the' chance of discovering graves, plans'will be made for them to take advantage of the arrangements made." -'. •■

: Each Y.M.C.A Hostel is provided with a public dining-room and a sitting-room. • The bedrooms each contain two beds and tho usual' appointments, There are also a number of bedrooms containing bunk 'beds for'the nso of men only. "While the hostels will be found to bo vory comfortable, it must' bo remembered that they are not hotels,.and have been built in the devastated areas becausc hotel eccommodation cannot be found, and in prder to make it possible for visitor's to pome to France to see graves this year" The fares for the visits, providing all 'liecessary travel tickets third-class in England, second-class on Channel steamer and on the French or Belgian railways, accommodation at hostels, with full board and lodging daily, commencing with dinner or supper on day of arrival find terminating with breakfast or lunch on the fourth day, and services of repre.sentatives on route, are set.out as under: —Fares from London to: Albert, ,£G Bs. 2d.; Amiens. .EG 3s. 2d.; Armentieres, i-6 3s. 4d.; Arras, 3s. lOd ; Bethune, ,£5 17s. lOd ; Boulogne, £b ss. lOd.: ■ Calais, £5 10a.; Cambrai, ,£6 lis. Id ; Etaplos, ;£5 9s. lfld.; Peronne, .£6 lis. Id.; Tpres, i£6 15s Bd. The above, it is emphasised, do not include the cost of'passport and transport to and from cemeteries and the hostels.

"Application for places," it is urged, "should be made early, as the numbers . nro limited to the accommodation available at tho hostel in each centre. Tho i Y.M.C.A. reserve!? the Tight of refusing; to accept bookings or to carry out thert i contract with any persons, whose presence they consider undesirable, nor coukl .it accept liability for any loss, delay, or accident* injury or irregularity, in tho carrying out of tho arrangements, occasioned or caused otherwise than by persons in their actual employ Passports are essential mid no passenger can ho Allowed to procced from Loudon unless they are in possession of same. Bookings' can lie made with the secretary of any Y.M.C.A. or direct with'tho_ Visitation of the Graves Department, National Councils of Y.M.C A.'s. 1G Mussel! Square, London, W.C. 1. All inquiries ' must state the namo of ceinotcry in full mid ■ the name of the nearest railway station notified by the Graves Commission." The scheme, which is available to• all overseas visitors, is reported to be operating successfully. j