YPRES

Until October, 1914, Ypres was generally regarded as a quiet Belgian
town, celebrated for its most interesting and valuable buildings, and
relics of a past age; but owing to its strategic importance in this war,
it has from that time onwards been lifted out of its somnolent life into
a world-wide importance, as one of the greatest battle-fields of the
world.

In explaining the great part which the Seventh Division took in this
front-rank battle, I cannot do better than quote from _The Times_ of
December 16, 1914, in describing the heroic effort of our troops in
resisting the furious onslaughts of the Germans in their vain endeavour
to reach Calais; to which point the Kaiser had commanded a road 'to be
forced at all costs.' Under the heading--

THE DEFENCE OF YPRES
BRILLIANT WORK OF THE SEVENTH
DIVISION STUBBORN VALOUR AND ENDURANCE

the writer proceeds to say:--

'The full story of the gallantry shown by British troops in their
stubborn defence of Ypres has yet to be told, but the orders
which we publish below, with the detailed official narrative of
events in Flanders which accompanies them, give some indication
of the fine work which has been done by the Seventh Infantry and
Third Cavalry Divisions.

The following order, which accompanied an order issued by General
Sir Douglas Haig, published in _The Times_ of November 30, was
issued to the Seventh Division by Lieut.-General Sir H.S.
Rawlinson:--

In forwarding the attached order by G.O.C. First Corps, I desire
to place on record my own high appreciation of the endurance and
fine soldierly qualities exhibited by all ranks of the Seventh
Division from the time of their landing in Belgium. You have been
called to take a conspicuous part in one of the severest
struggles in the history of the war, and you have had the honour
and distinction of contributing in no small measure to the
success of our arms and the defeat of the enemy's plans.

The task which fell to your share inevitably involved heavy
losses, but you have at any rate the satisfaction of knowing that
the losses you have inflicted upon the enemy have been far
heavier.

The Seventh Division have gained for themselves a reputation for
stubborn valour and endurance in defence, and I am certain that
you will only add to your laurels when the opportunity of
advancing to the attac