World War 1 Battlefield Tours – 2012 (page 2)

The tour list gives the full index of all of our battlefield tours, pilgrimage tours and war graves tours for the First World War. Expanded details of all tours is also available in our brochure, contact us for a copy.

WORLD WAR 1: ‘Cheerful Sacrifice’ Battle of Arras 95th Anniversary Tour

Led by Jonathan Nicholls, author of the highly acclaimed book

8th – 11th April
3 Days, 2 Nights

£480.00

Cheerful Sacrifice was published in 1990 after several years of research by, then serving police officer, Jon Nicholls, who'd traced several First War veterans. Their stories inspired him to write this book on the Battle of Arras.

The tour departs from Birmingham and then makes its way to France. The first stop is at Loos, the scene of bitter fighting in 1915, before going onto to the overnight hotel.

The next day the tour visits the Arras area seeing many of the scenes of action including Battery Valley, the areas of Monchy le Preux, Gavrelle, Feuchy, Scarpe, the site of the 9th Scottish Division Memorial, the Hyderabad Redoubt and other places on this tremendously interesting battlefield. Jon relates the personal stories of those involved whom he knew.

The tour of the area continues with walks of the battlefield, a visit to the underground tunnels in Arras, remnants of the infamous Hindenburg Line Defences and some free time to explore the town itself.

On the final day there are visits to the underground tunnels at Vimy Ridge, walks in the trench systems and views of the magnificent Canadian Memorial to the Missing.

WORLD WAR 1: Somme and Ypres Battlefield Tour

11th – 14th May
4 Days, 3 Nights

£480.00

Can't make a trip?
Want photographs of a Grave, Memorial or Battlefield site?
Contact Ian at the War Research Society.

This tour takes us into the heart of the Somme and Ypres battlefields, discovering the stories of the valour of the ordinary soldier fighting against great odds. Terry Webb leads the tour, explaining the logistical supply and communication problems and the, sometimes great, distances covered by the troops before the battles started.

Day 1 – On our first day we cross from Dover to Calais and travel south to St. Omer to see the Air Services Memorial before traveling on to our hotel in the Cambrai area.

Day 2 – Sees us traveling up into Belgium where we visit the Ypres Salient, Messines Ridge and the trench systems and fortifications in Croonaert Wood. We travel along the Menin Road, and pay a visit to the Dugout Experience Museum in Zonnebeke, before visiting Tyne Cot, Vancouver Corner, Langemark, Pilkem Ridge and many other places of interest on the battlefield. In Ypres we attend the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.

Day 3 – Sees us on the infamous Somme battlefields where we traverse the entire front line of the 1st July 1916, from Hebuterne to Maricourt, visiting Sheffield Memorial Park Serre, Beaumont Hamel, Thiepval, Albert, Lochnagar Memorial Crater, Mametz Wood, Delville Wood and many other places of interest.

Day 4 – On the final day we travel back to UK, visiting Vimy Ridge Canadian Memorial and the tunnel systems under the ridge, en-route home.

WORLD WAR 1: Early Battles

Neuve Chapelle, Loos, Ypres, Aubers Ridge and Fromelles

18th – 21st May
4 Days, 3 Nights

£480.00

You have a wonderful wealth of knowledge Ian that made the trip very interesting.

Norma & Bernard Davis.

The actions of the early battles of World War 1 will be brought alive by the in-depth knowledge of our guides. On the first day there is an opportunity to make Special Visits on our way to our overnight hotel.

Over the next three days we cover the early battles around Neuve Chapelle, Port Arthur, Pont de Logis, The Moated Grange, Bois du Biez, Aubers Ridge, with its impressive collection of Blockhouses, Fromelles and Pheasant Wood Cemetery, Festubert.

We go to Belgium to visit the Ypres Salient, seeing the Plugstreet Memorial to the Missing and cover the early actions around Messines Ridge with the London Scottish, Gheulevelt with the Worcesters and South Wales Borderers, and many other famous actions. This evening we also attend the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.

On our final day we visit the Loos Battlefield, seeing the Hohenzolleren Redoubt, Double Crassiers, Loos Memorial to the Missing, and discus the attack on the 25th September 1915 and subsequent actions.

WORLD WAR 1: Ypres Salient War Walk

Plugstreet, Polygon, Paschendaele and Pilkem

15th – 18th June
4 Days, 3 Nights

£480.00

Thanks again Ian for your sterling efforts, it was a memorable trip that I thoroughly enjoyed and found out so much.

Dave Barlee

Ypres Salient Cemetry

During this walk we will be having regular stops and presentations on the aspects of the battles on the actual sites. The walk will be done at an easy pace and back up vehicles will be with us at all times; you only need walk as much as you're able to.

Day 1 – This tour visits the Abeele Airdrome site en-route to our hotel.

Day 2 – The next day we visit Plugstreet Memorial to the Missing. From there we will go to Le Gheer where we start our walk and drive, passing the Birdcage, the mine craters, the site of Bairnsfather's Cottage and the Christmas Truce site. We will make our way to La Petit Douve Farm, Messines Ridge, New Zealand Memorial and 'The Pool of Peace' at Spanbrookmolen. From here via Peckham Farm to Croonaert Wood and St. Eloi, ending the day at The Bluff and Hill 60. In the evening we will attend the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.

Day 3 – Starting at Stirling Castle we will visit Clapham Junction, Nonne Boschen, Black Watch Corner, Polygon Wood, the site of Celtic Wood, Tyne Co, Gravenstafel, Vancouver Corner, Poelcapelle ,Langemark and finish the day at Pilkem.

Day 4 – We set off for a visit to Talbot House at Poperinghe, the home of Toc H, and the town hall (and execution post), before making for the ferry home.

WORLD WAR 1: 96th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and Ypres visit

30th June – 3rd July
4 Days, 3 Nights

£480.00

Can't make a trip?
Want photographs of a Grave, Memorial or Battlefield site?
Contact Ian at the War Research Society.

On this tour we will attend the Service of Remembrance at Lochnagar Memorial Crater on the 1st July, with the Friends of Lochnagar and the Official Service at Thiepval, under the auspices of the Royal British Legion.

The trip will include a full tour of the fields of conflict with visits to Mametz Wood, Delville Wood (Devil's Wood), the South African Memorial and Museum, High Wood, Beaumont Hamel, Serre, Albert, Fricourt and Pozieres.

We will also spend a full day in the Ypres Salient, visiting Ploegsteert, Messines Ridge, Tyne Cot,Passchendaele, Langemark, Vancouver Corner, Pilkem Ridge, Essex Farm, the Cloth Hall, St George's Chapel and many other places of interest. In the evening we will attend the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.

Special Visits can be undertaken as requested en route home on the final day.