WW1 Battlefields visit: Spring 2012
Ypres, Poperinge, Zonnebeke, just some of the names that still resound through history. See for yourself where our not too distant ancestors fought and died for King and Country.
The Brakes Trust is in the planning stages of organising a trip to the WW1 battlefields next spring (2012). Chris Baker has kindly offered his services free of charge to be our tour guide on what promises to be an outstanding excursion.
The Belgian town of Ypres was the epicentre of warfare on the Western Front in WW1. From 1914 to 1918 the fighting never ceased here, but flared up into three of the most siginificant battles in history, in 1914, 1915 and 1917. It was, for the British Army, a place of unbelievable courage, endeavour and ultimately victory. But it came at a huge price, for at least 200,000 British and Commonwealth troops died here. No wonder Winston Churchill later said, “A more sacred place for the British race does not exist throughout the world”. This is your chance to see it for yourself.
Back then. Ypres town centre was utterly devastated during WW1.
And now.
Chris has led many tours in his professional capacity as a military historian, author and battlefield guide. He’s the former Chairman of the Western Front Association and also owns and runs an exceptional WW1 website: www.1914-1918.net/
Those who have no known grave are commemorated on huge memorials.
The planned trip
Below is a first draft itinerary designed by Chris to get the maximum out of a 3-night visit. A visit in springtime was advised by Chris because vegetation would not obscure the lye of the land enabling a much more detailed vista.
Mid week travel was chosen to minimise Ferry costs.
Prices will be £160 – £200 per person, (to include fuel, ferry, accommodation including breakfast, dinner but not evening meal), based on 16 people travelling in four cars. Dates and exact costing will be known nearer the time.
Outline plan for a tour to the WW1 battlefield of Ypres Spring 2012:
Day 1 (travel and orientation)
• Depart Leamington early
• Ferry crossing at 10.00am
• Land at Calais at 12.30pm local time
• Journey to area takes 1 hour, so say arrive at 2.00pm
• Stop in Poperinge centre (Skindles; Talbot House, Gingers place, death cells, Switch Road)
• Stop at Brandhoek (Noel Chavasse VC grave and explanation of route in and out of Ypres)
• Check in at hotel say 5pm
• “Peace beer” at Lille Gate bar; stroll around Ramparts; Last Post ceremony at 8pm
• Dinner in Ypres
Day 2 (Ypres Salient tour)
• Breakfast, set off about 8.30am (need to get some picnic stuff)
• Pilgrimage stop at Duhallow Advanced Dressing Station cemetery to visit graves of Leamington players
• Essex Farm cemetery, restored bunkers and memorial (also John McCrae and “In Flanders Fields” poem)
• The Steenbeek river
• Langemarck German cemetery and then up road to British bunker on the Broenbeek
• Vancouver Corner Canadian memorial
• Zonnebeke and then Broodseinde and on to Tyne Cot
• Coffee at Varlet Farm (?)
• Gheluvelt (and Zandvoorde if time)
• Hooge museum
• Hill 60 and the Caterpillar
• Return to hotel
• Dinner in Ypres (and Last Post should anyone wish to go again)
Day 3 (south of Ypres tour)
• Breakfast, set off about 9am (need to get some picnic stuff)
• Voormezele (Peter Pan’s grave)
• St Eloi
• Wytschaete (Irish memorial)
• Spanbroekmolen crater
• Messines (Hitler’s crypt)
• St Yvon (Christmas Truce fields)
• Ploegsteert and wood
• Kemmel hill
• Depending on time, Vlamertinghe
• Dinner in Ypres (and Last Post should anyone wish to go again)
Day 4 (return)
• Breakfast, set off about 9am
• Bailleul (cemetery)
• Cassel (old town)
• Calais ferry at about 2pm
If you’re interested in joining us on this trip, please email Paul Sandison on bfg.lfc@hotmail.co.uk
Heroes: virtually everyone has a member of their family who fought at Ypres.
