VISITS TO THE GRAVES OF THE FALLEN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2199, 6 November 1920, Page 4

VISITS TO THE GRAVES OF THE FALLEN.

PARTICULARS OF THE Y.M.C.A

SCHEME

With the object of preventing profiteering at the expense of those whose great desire it is to visit the graves of the fallen in France and Flanders, the British Y.M.C.A. lias 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 arc Calais, ' Boulogne, and Eta pies, while the “forward area” locations are Ypres, Armentieres, Belhune, Arras, Amiens, Albert, Cambrai, and Peronne. In a pamphlet issued by the British Y.M.C.A. it is explained that “a tariff has been arrived at which represents, as far as can bo ascertained, the. cost of: the 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.”

GRAVE LOCATIONS SHOULD BE

known

“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 lira vcs Commission, Winchester House, St, James Square, London, S.W., not only (he name of (he cemetery in which the grave is located, but also the number and the row. The Association is not prepared as a general rule to accept’booking fronr anyone who is not in possession of. this information, but in special cases, where the persons are prepared to proceed on the chance of discovering graves, plans 'will be made for them to take advantage of tlie arrangements made.” HOSTELS DESCRIBED. Each Y.M.C.A. Hostel is provided with a puhlie dining room,’and also a sitting room. Communication with Ihe public rooms are by corridors, on either side of which are the bedrooms, each of which contains two beds and the usual appointments. The exclusive use of a bedroom for less lima two persons cannot he guaranteed, hut will lie provided whenever possible at an extra charge of 15s for the slay. In addition to the bedrooms with beds, there are also a number of bedrooms containing bunk beds for the use ol men only. At each hostel a-bath-room is provided, with fold and hot water, and special attention has been paid to the sanitary arrangements and toilets. The personal comfort of the visitors will be in the hands of the lady superintendent. “While, the hostels will be found to he very comfortable, it must be remembered that they are not hotels, and have been built in the devastated areas because hotel accommodation cannot be found, and in order to in ake it possible for visitors to come to France to see graves this year.”

FARES. The lares lor the visits, providing nil necessary 'travel tickets third class in England, second class on Channel steamer, and on the French and Belgian railways, accommodation at hostels, with full hoard and lodging daily, commencing with breakfast or lunch on the fourth day, and services of representatives on route, are set ous as under: — Fares from London to Albert, £0 8s 2d; Amiens, £(> 3s 2d; Armentiercs £0 3s 4d; Arras, £(> 3s 10d; Betliune, £5 17s lOd; Boulogne, £5 5s lOd; Calais, £5 10s Od; Camhrai, £0 11s Id; Etaples, £5 9s lOd; Peronne, £(i 11s Id ; Yprcs, £(i 15s Bd. The above, it should be emphasised, do not include the cost of passport and transport to and from cemeteries and the hostels. Those passengers desirous of travelling llrst-class on the Channel steamer may do so upon payment of 3s ex-' tra each way, 4s 5d via Dover-Os-tend. No gratuities are allowed. BOOKINGS. ‘‘Application for places.” it is urged, “should be made early, as the numbers are limited, to the accommodation available at the hostel in each centre, A choice of dates should be given whenever possible. A deposit of 10s, which forms the tirst instalment of the fare, should accompany the hooking form. The deposit is forfeited should the applicant withdraAv. The balance of the fare is payable not later than ten days before departure. The Y.M.C.A. reserves the right of refusing to accept hookings or to carry out their contract with any -persons whose presence they consider undesirable, nor could it accept liability for any loss, delay, or accident, injury or irregularity in the carrying out of the arrangements occasioned or caused "otherwise, than by persons in their actual employ. Passports are-essential, and no passenger can be allowed to proceed from Loudon unless they are in possession of same. Bookings can be made .with the secretary of any Y.M.C.A., or direct with the Visitation of the Graves Department, National Councils of Y.M.C.A.’s, 13 Kussell Square, London, AV.C. 1. All enquiries must state the name of cemetery in full, and the name of the nearest railway station as notified by thee Graves Commission.’-'