19, St. Mary Abbots Terrace,

Kensington, W. 14.

March 30^th 1927.

Telephone – Park 7934.

Dear Sir,

20^th (Light) Division

Battlefield Memorial at Langemarck.

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The unveiling of this memorial will take place on Whit Sunday, June 5^th 1927.  Major General Sir W. Douglas Smith, K.C.B., K.C.V.O., has consented to perform the ceremony.

The Secretary of the Memorial Committee will be very glad to hear from any members of the Division or the relatives or friends (ladies or gentlemen) of those connected with it who may wish to attend.

For the convenience of those travelling to Belgium for this ceremony arrangements have been made (with Messer. Cook & Son Ltd) for a special party at an inclusive charge covering all travelling and hotel expenses. Full particulars, itinerary and application forms are enclosed.  Provisional  reservations of accommodation has already been made, but it is most important for the Secretary to hear as soon as possible from anyone wishing to join this party.  As accommodation will only be definitely reserved by the Agents on receipt of payment, applications should be accompanied by a remittance (cheques payable to Major A.G. Brace and crossed).

Should unforeseen circumstances subsequently prevent anyone from making the journey money paid will be refunded, less only a small percentage deducted for Agents expenses.

Further particulars and details of the Ceremony will be posted to those who signify their intention of attending.

Yours sincerely

ALAN G. BRACE

FROM ALAN BRACE . ARCHITECT

19 ST. MARY ABBOTS TERRACE, KENSINGTON W.14

TELEPHONE PARK 7934

March 20^th 1927

My Dear General,

Thank you for your letter also for cheque 12/6 – you have now paid up everything.

I think you will find General Caliatoy will appear from “November” at exactly 12 o’clock.  That is what the French General did at Guillemont.

I am sending you a proof of the “Form of Service”.   This has been drawn up in consultation with Barry (who is at present correcting the proof, the enclosed being a duplicate.)  I am afraid there will be no time to get any amendments from you so I hope you find it as you would wish.

We are sending “Formal Invitations” to the War Office – I.W.G.C. – Belgian attaché & any others we can think of and I am sending some dozen to the Ypres League representative to distribute to the correct local magnates.

The unveiling is at 12. We return to Ypres and all have a Luncheon together at 1.30.  I have arranged for 20 additional places for guests – The Belgian General and any of the local people who ought to be asked & whom you will ask no doubt on the spot.

I have arranged for 13 waiters that is one for each Regiment or Corps in the Division to be at Ypres and each have cards giving the various Battns of each tied with regimental colours. These will be laid at the memorial after the Service.  I am also taking out a flag to hang over the Tablet which you will remove when you “unveil”.

I will not be travelling with the party but am joining it at Ypres (having been sent off to Spain again at a moments notice).  The History will be posted to your Farnham address.

I think this is all. I am writing rather fully because I won’t be seeing you in England – Story is dealing with any emergencies from now on, his address being

Lt Col P.F. Story

26 Belsize Grove Hampstead N.W. 3.

Telephone Primrose 4676.

I think we should have a good show. 62 with the Party & some 3 or 4 others joining at Ypres.

Yours sincerely

Alan Brace.

Embossed Government notepaper.

13^th January, 1927

My dear General,

I wrote to you on 20^th December about your request for the Duke of Brabant to be asked to unveil the Memorial to the 20^th Division at Langemarck, and undertook to make the necessary enquiries.

We now hear that H.R.H. has accumulated so many engagements during his absence from Brussels on his honeymoon that he is unable to add to them, although “he would have appreciated the honour had his time not been so fully occupied”.

In these circumstances perhaps you will consider the advisability of inviting some one connected with the Division to perform the unveiling ceremony.

If you will let us know in due course the details asked for in the last paragraph of our letter of the 28^th October last we will take the necessary steps with the Foreign Office.

We will not reply officially, as I think this letter gives all the information you require to know.

Yours sincerely,

J.J.H. Nation

Major General Sir W. Douglas Smith, K.C.B., K.C.V.O.

c/o Messrs Lloyds Bank Ltd.,

Cox’s Branch

6, Pall Mall,

S.W. 1.