Representing a Common Heritage
Representing a Common Heritage
APR 29 AT 6:30 AM – MAY 2 AT 9 AM
Here, one in three of Britain’s Western Front dead fell by 1918 and it has been a place of pilgrimage ever since. We begin by looking at the commemoration of Britain’s dead at Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest British war cemetery in the world, taking time to also see the visitors’ centre.
At Vancouver Corner we examine the use of gas in the trenches and see the moving ‘Brooding Soldier’ memorial to the Canadians who defended Ypres in 1915 and at Langemarck German Cemetery we see how Germany commemorated her dead and look at the story of ‘Fritz’ on the other side of No Man’s Land.
After lunch at Hooge, we visit the preserved trenches at Sanctuary Wood Trench Museum, some of the last original WW1 trenches still surviving in Flanders together with an amazing collection of relics and stereoscopic photos. We then travel down the Messines Ridge to Ploegsteert to see the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing.
Our day ends in Ypres where we attend the moving Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial, held at 8pm each evening.
Day 3 – The Somme
The Battle of the Somme began on a summer’s day in July 1916 and ended in a snowstorm four and a half months later. It was a battle of contrasts from the blackest day when 57,000 became casualties to the first use of tanks and the change in approach to fighting on the Western Front.
We look at all these stories and start our tour at Peronne where we visit the excellent Historial de la Grande Guerre museum which helps to put into context not just our Somme day, but the whole tour.
After lunch we see the trenches in the Newfoundland Park and then take time to visit the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing and see the new Somme Museum here.
*Coach travel in a Silver Service vehicle with reclining seats, tea/coffee making facilities (extra charge) air-conditioning and on board toilet.
*Services of experienced drivers/coach assistants.
*Channel crossings as specified.
*Hotel accommodation as specified above, 3 nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
*Itinerary as shown – Please note this does not include any entrances to museums and places of interest.
*Specialist Leger Holidays Battlefield Guide.
*Porterage at the hotel.
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