Western Front Battlefield Tours

Our first tour of the year took place on February 1st in appalling weather conditions. The tour was organised for the directors of B&Q plc. They were visiting competitors around the Lille area and wanted a team build with a difference. We organised a tour of the Ypres Salient and some of the most prominent sites; Hooge Crater museum, Hill 60 and the German trenches at Bayernwald. After lunch we visited the sites and memorials in Ypres, including the Menin Gate. The day and tour finished with a visit to Tyne Cot Commonwealth cemetery.

Each delegate was supplied with their own tour pack; with only a limited amount of time before we returned to catch the Euro star, it was important that the delegates were able to relate the places visited within the context of the Great War.

The managing director Matt Tyson summed up the brief but poignant visit. "This was more than a history lesson; it makes you realise that our daily gripes and groans are really very meaningless compared to the conditions with which the soldiers had to endure!"

The above images show the group in the German trenches at Bayernwald and with their tour guide at the cross of sacrifice in Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. The centre image is of unexploded shells on the Messines Ridge.

Half term holidays signalled our second tour of the year; a 5 day 4 nights tour of the Ypres Salient and Somme battlefields. The tour was tailored to suit a group of "anoraks" (their own nickname not mine!), who enjoy walking the battlefields. For many people walking the battlefields in February would not be top of their Christmas list, but at this time of the year the battlefields are empty of crops and fields can be walked. The "anoraks" were joined by the Lee family; Michael was celebrating his 50th birthday.

The tour of the Salient included a walk from Zillebeke Lake to Hill 62, with particular emphasis on the Canadians and the battle of Mount Sorrel. We also did a driving tour of the Messines Ridge in the footsteps of the 19th Division. The days spent on the Somme included a circular tour of Bois Francais, Mametz and Fricourt. We had managed to dodge most of the wet weather until our last day when we had organised a walk featuring the dawn attacks, culminating in a walk around the perimeter of High Wood.

Ann Pedley (Royal Welch Fusiliers museum archivist) recounts the death of 2/Lt. Christian Carver (R.F.A) at Zillebeke Lake. He died of wounds during the preliminary bombardment prior to 3rd Ypres. The middle image is just one of thousands of very moving personal inscriptions. This one was chosen by the parents of Private L.W. Nutter; 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles; Killed in action 25th March 1916, aged 19. He is buried in the beautifully isolated cemetery of Maple Copse near Zillebeke. The last image shows some of the battlefield relics the group "grubled" during their walk over the top of Bois Francais, on the Somme.

March usually greets us with milder weather; not so on the Somme battlefields! Although sunny the temperatures struggled to +3 degrees. Although booked as one of our advertised tours to the Somme, we were able to incorporate the specific stories of two men; our group for this tour included two relatives who wanted to retrace their ancestors footsteps before paying their respects by visiting their final resting place; I have detailed some of the highlights from this tour below.

After picking up in Carlisile and then York, it was late afternoon before we reached the "quite sector" battlefields around Armentieres; after their destruction on the Somme the 34th Divison moved here via Arras in September 1916. The Tyneside Scottish Brigade were tasked with strengthing the defensive line as well as the usual tasks of carrying supplies and rations. On the 27th December 1916 the 102nd Brigade including the 20th Battalion (Tyneside) Scottish, received orders to relieve the 103rd Tyneside Irish Brigade in the front line. It was whilst on this tour of duty that Private Edward Anderson was killed in action. Unusually for a private soldier his death is mentioned in the list of casualties in the Battalions war diary. He was buried by his comrades in the aptly named Ration Farm cemetery.

Our base for the three days was Arras and on the second day after a morning presentation we headed down to the Somme battlefieds. After an overview involving a visit to the heights of the German second line above Beaumont Hamel, we donned our walking boots and set off in the footsteps of the 1st Border Regiment (29th Division.)They had arrived on the Somme from Gallipoli and by early April were preparing trenches around Hawthorn Ridge close to Beaumont Hamel in preparation for the "Big Push". By the 6th April German trench mortar activity was reported as being very active and all Companies of the Borderers were ordered up from reserve. Then early evening a carefully planned trench raid was carried out by the Germans against the neighbouring Battalion (2/South Wales Borderers.) The Germans had laid a boxed barrage which prevented the 29th Division from bringing forward their reserves. The 2/S.W.B suffered around 80 casualties including 17 men taken prisoner. The Borderers had 13 men killed including 2 who later died of thier wounds; these men are buried together in Auchonvilliers communal cemetery; Private Joseph Cooper was one of 4 men who was reported as wounded during this action. He survived for nine days before succumbing to his wounds. After lunch time was spent retracing the Borderers steps and their dreadful advance against Y-Ravine; it was'nt just the Newfoundland Regiment who suffered so badly on the 1st July! We then moved on to Mash Valley and retraced the steps of the 102nd Tyneside Brigade and in particular the 20th Battalion. Several crosses were laid at Ovilliers British cemetery, where many of the known casualties are buried.

Our final day took us to Doullens communal cememtery extension number 1, to enable Bernard and his partner to lay a cross on the grave of Private Joseph Cooper. Our return to Theipval was via some of the lesser visited back areas, particularly where the 29th Divisions battalions were billeted. It also gave us an opportunity to visit the small cemetery at Forceville; one of the original cemeteries chosen as a template by the Graves Commission for future cemetery design.

The above images from left to right; Carole at the grave of her Great Grandfather; the tour group at Ration Farm cemetery. Note the building opposite which is built on the original site of Ration Farm. Carole looking out towards Mash Valley; it was here on July 1st 1916 that Private Edward Anderson received a head wound which invalided him home. So anxious was the Brigadier to reform the remnants of the Tyneside Brigade, Private Anderson felt duty bound to return to France. He was killed in action in December 1916.
A single row of rare Gorsehill headstones mark the graves of the 13 men of the 1st Border Regiment, killed by German shelling during a trench raid on the 6th April 1916. They are buried in Auchonvillers communal cemetery. Bernard places a cross on the grave of his Great Uncle at the cemetery extension in Doullen; Private Joseph Cooper died of his wounds on the 15th April 1916.

Our April touring programme was extremeley busy with three tours in as many weeks; two advertised tours from our calendar, covering the Ypres Salient and the Somme battlefields and a tailor made tour, again covering the two most popular battlefield destinations.

Mrs. Elizebeth Povey surveys the ground over which the Birmingham Pals assaulted in October 1917. Her Great Uncle died of wounds during the attack against Polderhoek chateau, in the Ypres Salient. The second image is from our tailor made tour to the Western Front. Customer Mark Watson was on a pilgrimage in the footsteps of his Grandfather who served with the 4/Seaforth Highlanders. Marks life long passion for the Great War battlefields started when his Grandfather gave him his medals on his death bed. Our last tour in April shows the group visiting the vast German cemetery at Neuville St. Vaast, near Arras.

Two Canadians a dentist and his wife made up our early June tour to the battlefields of the Western Front. Jim and his wife Ilaria from Saskatchewan were on a European tour and wanted to visit the sites and memorials specific to the Canadian Expeditionery Force. Peter and Sue had given me details of their relatives who had served in the Great War and wanted to follow in their footsteps. Their tour was part of an extended holiday in France. Therefore the tour vehicle went over empty and picked up in Calais and Ypres.

From left to right. Peter standing at the grave of his Great Uncle, Alf Swift, 2/Lincolnshire Regiment, who died of wounds whilst the battalion dug new trenches in preparation for the Battle of the Transloy Ridges. He is buried at Heilly Station cemetery. Most of the headstones here have two or even three soldiers names engraved as the burials were carried out by two casualty clearing stations using the same burial ground and under extreme pressure. The centre image features the group on the ramparts above the Menin Gate. The Last Post ceremony is now so busy, it is a good idea to visit the memorial earlier in the day. Jim and Ilaria photographed in Voormeezle number one cemetery, in Ypres, originally formed by the Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry (P.P.C.L.I) in February 1915. The first serving Canadian Infantry to enter the war. It's first two commanding officers are buried side by side.

Our mid June tour was a tailor made tour which featured a customers wish list of things to see and do. Keith has been a battlefield tourer for many years and his wife had contacted us to arrange a helicopter flight over the battlefields.The remaining members of the party wanted to combine some battlefield touring with a visit to Arras. Aswell as the helicopter flight we also arranged a visit to see the tank at Cambrai and a very special visit to the Wellington caves in Arras. These medieval chalk caves formed part of the Ronville tunnel excavated by New Zealand tunneller's in preparation for the Battle of Arras in 1917. These caves are not due to be opened to the general public for another two years, but Mr. Alain Jacques was kind enough to give us a personalised tour.

The left hand picture is the tank owner, Philippe Gorczynski talking to the group at the site of the proposed tank memorial, which is due to be unveiled in November 2007.

The centre image is just one of many memorials left by the troops who used the tunnels, many of these are still to be researched and catalogued! The picture on the right is Alain Jacques with the group who are just about to enter the tunnel entrance, behind.

Our 90th Somme anniversary tour included; Bill and Hillary (not Clinton!) Bill's father was wounded on the first day at Serre, where he was serving with the 12th York & Lancasters (Sheffield City Battalion.) Eric and his son David; Erics father had also survived the battle, serving with 8th Seige Battery, R.G.A. His son David was tracing the footsteps of his wifes Great Grandfather, who was killed in action in March 1915, whilst serving with the Irish Guards. Dorothy; had two relatives killed during the five month battle and wanted to lay wreaths at the memorial to the missing at Thiepval; both have no known graves. Although the tour was predominantly aimed at attending the various commemorations and events, we allowed sufficient time to recount their relatives own individual stories, including visits to Cambrai and Givenchy.

Pictures left to right; Great War re encators preparing for the Last Post ceremony at Serre Road number one cemetery in honour of the 31st Division. Centre; the group at New Munich Trench Cemetery above Beaumont Hamel. Right; a most unusual personal memorial, placed against the walls of the memorial to the missing at Louverval, Cambrai. It is a genuine Great War Brodie helmet.

After the busy 90th anniversary commemorations, the battlefields, particularly the Somme have returned to their normal quite existence; even Ypres was quite, making the battlefields a delight to visit, even if it was very hot. A chilled cooler box full of bottled water was a most welcome sight after a walk across the battlefields! July's group consisted of an ex Royal Artillery man and his wife. Their battlefield tour was courtesy of their son who had booked the tour as a Christmas present. A retired farmer and his son, looking to pay their respects to their fallen great grandfather/grandfather. David, who was working through his list of "things to do" before starting a new job. He was also interested in family members who he knew to be buried in Ypres and Arras.

Images from left to right; Graham and his father, Richard point to the name of private Richard Limback, 24th battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Irish,) who was missing presumed dead after the Battle of Arleux on the 28th April 1917. His name is inscribed on the walls of the memorial to the missing, at the Fabourg d'Amiens cemetery, in Arras. The memorial is inscribed with the names of over 35,000 officers and men who have no known grave and who fell in the Arras sector from March 1916, until August 1918.
Centre image shows the group at the original officer's and men's club, Talbot House, in Poperinge. The visitors centre has now been open for a couple of years and features life in and around Poperinge during the Great War through a series of talk boards and some superb photographs.
The image on the left shows David at the grave of his Great Uncle, Captain Edward Douglas Symes M.C, Queen Victoria Rifles (56th London division)who was killed whilst leading a night patrol out into Glencorse Wood prior to the Battle of Langermarck on the 14th August 1917. His M.C was won at Gommecourt on the 1st July 1916. David's other great uncle, Captain John Bond Symes and brother of Captain Edward Douglas Symes, was killed during the 3rd Battle of the Scarpe 3rd May 1917, whilst serving with the 2nd battalion (Royal Fusiliers) London Regiment. He is buried in tank cemetery, near Arras.
Several days research at the National Archives at Kew preceded this tour and enabled us to personalise the tour by featuring the stories and exploits of the above soldiers.

Our August tour covered the Ypres Salient, the Somme, Gavrelle near Arras and Laventie, near Armentieres. The tour group consisted of Tracy and Richard Thompson who wanted to follow in the footsteps of two fallen relatives, however, just before they were due to leave a relative from Richards side of the family indicated that five further members of the Biggerstaff family had been killed during the Great War! Other members of the group included father and son David and Alan Childs; David was a doctor of history and his Phd. was mentored by no other than Hew Strachan, (no pressure there then!)Davids father, Alan was a retired farmer and had always wanted to visit the battlefields where his father had fought as part of 277th Seige battery, R.G.A. The group was completed with Ros and John Debling, who are both very interested in all aspects of history; it was their second time to the Western Front battlefields having already visite the Ypres Salient. They were interested in tracing the actions of a Great Uncle who had served in the Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry. As all the group had relatives who had fought in the Great War, the required personal research was lenghty, although extremely rewarding. We were able to recount the stories of their relatives and show them where they had fought and in one case where they had died.

Images from left to right. A Canadian guide explains the use of explosives in the deep mines at Vimy Ridge, Arras. Centre; the group pictured outside the "Plugstreet" memorial en route to the Somme. The final image shows John and Ros Debling infront of the French memorial at Laventie. It was here that the 5th D.C.L.I (Pioneers to the 61st Division) were billeted in 1916.

Our September 3 day tour of the Somme battlefields coincided with the 90th anniversary of the first use of tanks (Battle of Flers - Courcelette.)All six customers came from the north east and were also linked by their interest in family history; all had relatives who had fought on the Somme and this helped to personalise the tour for each member of the group.
The first afternoon and second day involved a tour of the British front line form the first day of the Battle of the Somme, including Gommecourt, Montauban and Redan Ridge, as well as the more popular sites.

Our third day concentrated on the later stages of the Battle of the Somme as it became a battle of attrition. With the use of war diaries and trench maps we retraced the actions of early July and the attempts to capture the German held trenches between Contalmaison and Mametz Wood, prior to the "Dawn Attacks". The above image shows Mike and his son Adrian studying the ground over which Mikes Grandfather advanced with the 9/Northumberland Fusiliers on the 9th July 1916, in their ill fated assault on Quadrangle Support Trench. The centre image features the group at Gommecourt Wood New Military Cemetery. The right hand image shows Steve in reflective mood at the memorial to the missing at Thiepval.

October featured two battlefield tours, both tailor made, but with contrasting itineraries. The first tour was an 8 day 7 nights tour of the Western Front concentrating on the exploits of the Australians, and specifically the 9th (Queensland) Battalion. Our customers were Pat and Peggy O'Keeffe from Caloundra, Queensland. Pat was a retired Major of the 9th Battalion and through his work at the Regimental museum had been a close friend to many of the last survivors from the Great War. Along with his wife Peggy they were looking to combine a holiday in Europe with a tour of the Western Front battlefields. We had arranged to pick Pat and Peggy up from Paris and after the tour to drop them off in London, to enable them to continue their holiday.The tour was organised to follow the Battalion chronologically and with two, 3 night hotel stops in Ypres and Arras (plus one in Cambrai,)to enable us to unpack and pack as least as possible.

The first image shows Pat on the German second line south of the village of Pozieres; the radio mast is on the main road, opposite the site of the windmill. The centre image was taken during our visit to the private museum of Monsieur Letaille at Bullecourt, near Arras. Monsieur Letaille has built up a fantastic collection of uniforms, weapons and artifacts from the battlefields around Bullecourt, including hundreds of personal items and letters (many from Australia). His life long passion however is in danger of dissapearing forever, as Monsieur Letaille has no relatives to hand down his collection..Are you listening Australia? The right hand image was taken in the Commonwealth cemetery at Polygon Wood.

Our customers for our late October tour (6 day 5 nights) have accompanied us before. Their remitt was to visit some of the lesser known battlefields, away from the Somme and Ypres. They also like to break the tour mid way and have a "day off". The itinerary included the early actions of the British Expeditionery Force (B.E.F) around Mons and Le Cateau. We spent two days around Verdun and also visited Cambrai. The "day off" was spent in the Champagne town of Epernay; no guesses for how the day was spent!

The left hand image is the new tank memorial, currently under construction at Flesquieres, near Cambrai. It's main theme portrays the path of the tanks (the tracks) and the infantry following in support (the footmarks). It is due to be officially opened next year on the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cambrai. The middle image shows the group in the centre of Mons, rubbing the head of the monkey for good luck. Just as thousands of British soldiers had done 92 years before at the outbreak of war. The right hand image was taken from the osuary tower at Douaumont, Verdun.

Both of these tours were organised in partnership with our customers; they told us what they wanted to do and we did the planning. If you and your group would like a quote for a tailor made battlefield tour, please use the enquiry form. or call us on 01492 576726.

Have you heard about the battlefield tour including an Englishman, Irishman, Scotsman and Welshman (Well, I live in Wales!)? Our latest four day Western Front tour consisted of customers from all corners of the U.K. The tour included Ypres, with time spent at Polygon Wood and Ploegsteert (Plugstreet), the Somme, with special emphasis on the 36th (Ulster) Division. Visits were also organised to see the tank at Cambrai and the tunnels at Vimy Ridge.

 

The left hand image shows Andy from County Tyrone in the Ulster Tower on the Somme. The centre image of the group was taken at the Canadian number 2 cemetery (Givenchy) on of Vimy Ridge. A small armistice service was held in the cemetery by the Canadian guides. The right hand image is of Bruce Tyrie standing in front of Hunters cemetery in the grounds of Newfoundland Park. This cemetery contains men from Bruce's old Regiment, the Black Watch. His tour was a birthday present enabling him to visit two uncles who were killed during the Great War.