sued Posted 23 October , 2017 Share Posted 23 October , 2017 I wonder if anyone can help - I’m planning to visit Ypres towards the end of April next year. Rather than doing an organised battlefield tour I’m hoping to visit some of the places mentioned in my grandfather’s 1915 diary, such Brielen and Essex Farm, as well as the site of various farms and trenches. Ideally I’d like somebody who has knowledge of the area as it was then who could pick us up from the hotel, take us to some of these places and take us back, as we won’t have a car. Can anybody recommend an individual or company who does this sort of thing? Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyH Posted 23 October , 2017 Share Posted 23 October , 2017 (edited) We used Nathan of Flanders Fields Battlefield Tours for a one day tour, whilst staying in Bruges. He will pick up from your hotel and tailor the tour around the sites you wish to visit. Very knowledgeable about the area and conflict, he is contactable via VisitBruges.org. Mike. Edited 23 October , 2017 by MikeyH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sued Posted 23 October , 2017 Author Share Posted 23 October , 2017 That’s great - thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sued Posted 23 October , 2017 Author Share Posted 23 October , 2017 I should have said that we’ll actually be staying in Ypres - not sure yet how far away Bruges is - would that be a problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyH Posted 23 October , 2017 Share Posted 23 October , 2017 I don't think so, but be prepared for a long day. We were picked up around 8.30 am and got back about 6.00 pm. He is very enthusiastic, we did stop for a nice lunch! Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 23 October , 2017 Share Posted 23 October , 2017 I have used Iain Mchenry on a couple of occasions. Just google Trench map tours. He is based in Ypres. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 23 October , 2017 Admin Share Posted 23 October , 2017 https://ypres-fbt.com/ Genevra and Jacques do bespoke tours. They live in Poperinghe Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sued Posted 23 October , 2017 Author Share Posted 23 October , 2017 Thank you for all your suggestions, I’ll have a look at the websites - very helpful. Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted 24 October , 2017 Share Posted 24 October , 2017 I'd be surprised if you could do better than WW1 Battlefields Alive, run by Bob Findley, who lives in the Ypres area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sued Posted 25 October , 2017 Author Share Posted 25 October , 2017 Thank you again, I’ll have a look at that too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 25 October , 2017 Share Posted 25 October , 2017 Andre at the Dug Out B and B also. He is on Google and FB. The Dugout Ypres. Good guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berty199 Posted 25 October , 2017 Share Posted 25 October , 2017 4 hours ago, trenchtrotter said: Andre at the Dug Out B and B also. He is on Google and FB. The Dugout Ypres. Good guy. I can vouch for that Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sued Posted 26 October , 2017 Author Share Posted 26 October , 2017 Thank you for that suggestion, I’ll look at that too. Thanks all for your help. Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pea Shooter Posted 13 February , 2018 Share Posted 13 February , 2018 Can anyone tell me Bob Findley's handle here on the Forum. I used to follow his posts. I think it began with a B. My wife and I also used his tours and were very impressed with his knowledge and expertise. Vaughn & Marie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted 13 February , 2018 Share Posted 13 February , 2018 Beselare, I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 13 February , 2018 Share Posted 13 February , 2018 I'm sorry to tell you that Bob Findley passed away in November 2017. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin spof Posted 13 February , 2018 Admin Share Posted 13 February , 2018 Chris Thank you for updating us with this rather sad news. Glen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted 13 February , 2018 Share Posted 13 February , 2018 Sad news indeed. I knew Bob reasonably well; as well as being a highly knowledgeable guide he was a fine human being. He'll be much missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin spof Posted 13 February , 2018 Admin Share Posted 13 February , 2018 There is now a thread in the In Memoriam board where members can post their thoughts about Bob. Glen GWF Admin Team Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinc47 Posted 25 January , 2021 Share Posted 25 January , 2021 (edited) Have just joined GWF having only recently seen the extremely sad news regarding the passing of Bob Findley. I had the great pleasure of meeting Bob a couple of times. The first time was when I visited Flanders in 2013 with my wife, and the second time was a year later when I visited with my son. My wife's uncle served in the 1st Somerset Light Infantry and was killed during the 2nd battle of Ypres. For my first visit I had looked for a guide who could give me a more personal tour than your average coach tour, and after much research I settled on Bob's Battlefields Alive tours. What a great find he was. He was able not only to take us around the places where my wife's uncle had fought, but also took us to a spot just off the Admirals road where he pinpointed exactly where he died. I have since those trips compiled many albums containing information and photographs gleaned from our time with Bob, and as he was not only such a knowledgeable man, but also such a lovely person, I would like to insert a tribute to him into my books. I know that Bob lived in the Ypres area and that he was an ex policeman, but very little else about his background. I would greatly appreciate it if anybody could help me out with any other personal facts about Bob that they feel they could share. R.I.P Bob. It was a privilege to meet you. Edited 25 January , 2021 by Colinc47 Grammatical errors Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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