Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-04
THE HEROES OF LYS FARM
By Lieutenant Leon Archibald,
British Royal Engineers

ENROM one end of our line in France and
L Belgium to the other we were constantly
coming in contact with remarkable in
stances of devotion and total disregard of
danger among the civilian population. who
steadfasty clung to their broken. fast dis
solving homes, absolutely refusing to take
cognizance of the might Of Germany. And
a noteworthy feature was the fact that
those who remained consisted wholly of
women, children and old men, or men who
on account of some pronounced physical
disability could not march with the SOL
diers. Take for example, the case of Lys
Farm.
TNHIS farm is situated little to the north
l. and west of Armentieres, and from the
beginning of the war until few weeks ago
those Of its occupants who had not gone
to fight remained and carried on. A glance
at a map OF our lines in southern Belgium
will explain why Lys Farm has at last
ceased to produce
LNARLY in the spring OF 1916 ana curing
~ a short respite from the trenches. my
company was used on some urgent work
in connection with the preparation of
second line" and we'll do remember my
first visit to the new scene of activities.
Leaving our bllets In Armentieres, my
guide and | proceeded out past the ceme'
terry on the northwest fringe OF the city
and then struck off across country in the
direction of I.ys Farm. 1t was fine clear
morning and off to the right across fiat
plain, in the vicinity Of Houplines and
some 1900 yards distant from us, could be
seen the sinuous outline of our front-line
trenches. Suddenly the use OF short cuts
was made prohibitive on account of the
flooded condition of some low-lying helds,
and here we stepped over on to road run
ming for about 500 yards parallel with the
front line Previously to this hedges had
screened us from the enemy's view, but as
we started across this 500yard strip or
| road. every yard of which was wide open
TO view, my guide advised me to keep low
and hurry. soon saw the good sense In
his counsel, for on the way across
counted six splashes in the water beside
| the road, and their significance needed no
| exclamation. Arrived on the other SIDE
| where a friendly turning hid us again, we
halted to straighteh ourselves out and
offer thanks for the poor judgment OF the
| snipers.
WE HAD no more than resumed our
| w journey when down the road in front
Of us came a young lady bearing on each
arm a basket. Accustomed as l had be-
come to the unusual am forced to admit
| that IL needed more than a casual glance
| IN assure me that I was not dreaming.
| wishing us smiling Bon jour" the girl
passed US. At the turning, and just before
proceeding out upon the exposed portion OF
| the road, she halted and set down her
| baskets, To my guide this had been an
almost daily occurrence and he was for
proceeding when l besought him to wait
| until l could get some light on the matter.
TIME baskets contained butter, eggs ana
i some loaves of bread. and she was
taking these things to town to sell. She
| belonged to Lys Farm and lived there with
a mother, a young brother and an older
brother who was unable to go to war. She
went to town daily or as often as sufficient
wares accumulated with which to MI her
baslxsta She wasn't sfraid 70 cross the