BRITISH PILGRIMAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1928, Page 1

BRITISH PILGRIMAGE

TO THE BATTLEFIELDS. Australian Press Assn.—United Service LONDON. August 4. The British Army of Peace has begun its pilgrimage to the "battlefields for the anniversary of the outbreak of the war. Thirty-six special trains are bringing eleven thousand Beginners from the provinces to Dover and Harwich, while eleven steamers have been chartered for the across the Channel trip. Tire majority going are men who made the same journey in khaki years ago, and who are now revisiting the places.wliich the valour of the Empiro' 4 armies made memorable. Others will be parents paying their first visit to their sons’ graves. As the newspapers say, all are going to pray that war will never return to trouble the earth.

The pilgrims will be billeted in concentration towns in Northern France and Belgium. Sunday will he devoted to the private exploration of the battlefields. On Monday there will be an impressive ceremony on Vimv Ridge. On Tuesday they will go to Betliune where tho Prince of Wales will join the assembly for the anniversary, of the great stand which checked the German advance. Prince Charles of Belgium will meet tho Legionaries at the Belgium frontier on Wednesday. Then the pilgrims will march in relays to Ypres for .el great memorial service at the Menin Gate, and are then to be addressed by the Archbishop of York. A Paris message istates that tho quiet dignity of the pilgrimage arrangements has made a most favourable impression. PARIS, August 4. A luncheon by General Gonraud began the visit of the British Legion Paris proceedings. It was informal, in conformity with the .Flanders proceedings. Colonel Crosfield, the chairman broadusted a speech of thanks and greetings. ,