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Remembered Today:

Battlefield Tour


andy2014

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Hi All

I am looking to do a trip, ideally by coach to the battlefields, museums etc... in 2019

Any tips for a good introductory first trip to the western front?

I do have a relative lost at Mametz Wood with the D Coy, 7th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment.

Lost on 10th July 1916.

It would be great to visit Mametz but so far any tours i have seen are all for the Welsh regiment and the Welsh memorial.

If i visit Mametz i would like to visit the west side of the wood and the area he would have been in and where he still lies today.

I guess the best way to do Mametz is on your own but i thought a first trip would be good by coach and do all the tourist hotspots and familiarize myself with the areas and battlefields on the ground as so far my research has been online.

Thanks in advance for all your replies.

Andy

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Andy,

I started with about ten years ago witg "All quite on the Western front" with Leger. The 5 day one was really informative of all areas of the front Arras, Ypres, Somme, Messines & Vimy.

 

R'ds

Sajackr

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Leger will probably give you a broad picture, the area covered is large. maybe have a word with one of the forum members that offer a service that may suit a pin pointed visit better.

the difference being Leger pick up in England wheras the smaller concerns are French based.

Its nice when they can specialise, both my sons were asked at school if they had relatives in France, both managed to visit different cemeteries, probably wouldn't have been able to with a bigger concern, a school party might have not had the interest so they were easily catered for, a large trip would have many like minded wanting to go to their own places, someone probably going to miss out.

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4 hours ago, sajackr said:

Andy,

I started with about ten years ago witg "All quite on the Western front" with Leger. The 5 day one was really informative of all areas of the front Arras, Ypres, Somme, Messines & Vimy.

 

R'ds

Sajackr

Thanks, we came across that one and thought it looked reasonable and a good start!

Thanks.

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3 hours ago, chaz said:

Leger will probably give you a broad picture, the area covered is large. maybe have a word with one of the forum members that offer a service that may suit a pin pointed visit better.

the difference being Leger pick up in England wheras the smaller concerns are French based.

Its nice when they can specialise, both my sons were asked at school if they had relatives in France, both managed to visit different cemeteries, probably wouldn't have been able to with a bigger concern, a school party might have not had the interest so they were easily catered for, a large trip would have many like minded wanting to go to their own places, someone probably going to miss out.

Interesting, there are advantages and disadvantages to both small and large groups i guess, and it may start to quieten down a bit from next year?

I hear the last post isn't what it used to be these days, a solemn affair, but today hundreds are crammed in stood filming it with mobile phones, talking, rustling foodpackets etc etc even taking selfies?

But thats just another sign of the times!

I guess its on the to do list though?

Thanks again.

 

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Hi Andy, my first visit was with Holts in the early 1990s which was their introductory Western Front tour. Like you I had ancestors that I wished to be more specific about (two are named on the Menin Gate so that was all the better) but I'm glad I went on that tour as it gave me a good feel for the main sites and the overall geography; it made me confident enough to go back under my own steam and do the personal sites. I recall a very touching moment on the Holts Tour where one elderly chap was visiting his father's grave for the first time; brings a lump to my throat just remembering it now. 

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Ledgers All Quiet on the Western Front  does not include Mametz in the schedule. I have just returned from the five day tour, my other half wanted an introduction to the front and this was great for that purpose. 

I also done the same tour four years ago with a very good guide(that may not post on here now) again no where near the wood. However there is some flexible time built into the schedule. This time managed to stop at the "Welsh memorial" as time allowed between stops. I had not asked for that but the guide knowing I was Welsh squeezed that stop in. I did not have the heart to tell him I found it a terrible monument(my opinion, a have a few issues about it) but the stop was made. 

 

Contact Ledger and ask what tour includes Mametz, then discuss is there time for the coach to get you around the other side or at worst if you are fit enough stride out there yourself(yes the guides hate this but this tour I ducked out a few times knowing what I needed.) 

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Thanks for the tips, looks like a leger trip is a good start to do all the museums and obvious places to see, then do our own to specific places or book a personal guide.

Thanks again

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  • 2 months later...
On 21/07/2018 at 22:05, andy2014 said:

Hi All

I am looking to do a trip, ideally by coach to the battlefields, museums etc... in 2019

Any tips for a good introductory first trip to the western front?

I do have a relative lost at Mametz Wood with the D Coy, 7th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment.

Lost on 10th July 1916.

It would be great to visit Mametz but so far any tours i have seen are all for the Welsh regiment and the Welsh memorial.

If i visit Mametz i would like to visit the west side of the wood and the area he would have been in and where he still lies today.

I guess the best way to do Mametz is on your own but i thought a first trip would be good by coach and do all the tourist hotspots and familiarize myself with the areas and battlefields on the ground as so far my research has been online.

Thanks in advance for all your replies.

Andy

As you say Andy most of the tours are of Welsh interest. I visited Memetz with two friends earlier this month and found it very moving. My interest is in the 7th Batt East Yorkshire Regiment. My Grandfather was 6668 Sgt Samuel Mitchell 7th Batt. I would recommend you visit independently if you can as it`s not as rushed as on a trip which I did with Leger travel in July. Although I found the tour guide Vic Puik very informative and knowledgeable. Regards Jim Mitchell. What was the name of your relative Andy ?

 

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Edited by Jim Mitchell
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Leger has a walking tour on the Somme which cover Mametz Wood.  Other tour companies are available but check with them if they are going out that way

 

i would suggest that go on your own or with a couple of friends, as you spend as much time as you like there.  

 

As you you will be Without a tour guide wanting to push on to the next stop or get the wrath of the other travellers.  (You get them on all tours)

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  • 1 month later...

Time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted. 

Download the war diary for your relative's service.

Buy the 1/25000 serie bleu map 2408E Bray sur Somme which covers Mametz and Mametz wood

The Battleground Europe title 'Fricourt Mametz' covers some of the Yorks actions

 

I agree with Cheshire 22; if you are planning a family pilgrimage then it is best to go under your own arrangements.  a tour party runs on a set programme and the guide has to stick to what has been advertised.

 

My thoughts on important Somme sites

 

Thiepval Memorial, Serre, Mametz [of course] Devonshire Trench, Pozieres, Butte de Warlencourt.

 

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