Battlefield Tour

[Guest seasidenan]

In August 2006 my grand-daughter and I went on our first Battlefield Tour. We chose a coach tour and I have to say they were brilliant and have the most experienced guides I've ever come across What they don't know about WWI and the many battles etc., just isn't worth knowing We visited many places and monuments including Tyne Cot, Ypres, Thiepval, Delville Wood and attended the Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate. It was a very moving weekend but also enjoyable, if that's the right word. During the course of my family history search, I am hoping to discover a relative or two who may have been there during the War and maybe visit their grave if they sadly died there. I don't know enough about my ancestors yet, but I am determined to go back whether I find any brave relatives or not.

Personally I think everyone should make at least one visit in their life, just to see how brave our relatives really were and hear about the conditions they fought in. It certainly makes you grateful for all they did, even if you didn't have anyone involved.

[Petroc]

Welcome to the community. So glad you enjoyed your trip! And, yes, 'enjoy' IS the word...its a wonderful part of Europe, not only for those sites of memory and homage we all respect, but also because of the sheer attraction and vibrancy of the villages, towns and cities in the area for which so much blood was spilled. I hope I'm not alone in the opinion that the sacrifice in some way ensured the survival and continued development of the region as we se it now. And I'm sure many more will join me in my other message to you...that, once bitten by the bug, you'll return again and again!

[Guest seasidenan]

Welcome to the community. So glad you enjoyed your trip! And, yes, 'enjoy' IS the word...its a wonderful part of Europe, not only for those sites of memory and homage we all respect, but also because of the sheer attraction and vibrancy of the villages, towns and cities in the area for which so much blood was spilled. I hope I'm not alone in the opinion that the sacrifice in some way ensured the survival and continued development of the region as we se it now. And I'm sure many more will join me in my other message to you...that, once bitten by the bug, you'll return again and again!

Thanks for the welcome, Petroc

My grand-daughter and I have made a promise that we will go back as soon as we can. Unfortunately health problems have precluded holidays for the past 18 months or so, but I'm hoping to be fit enough next year. I'd like to find some ancestors who lost their lives there before then, although that sounds awful I know, but if I do discover anyone of mine was killed there I'd like to visit their grave to pay my respects to a brave man. They were all very brave men...real hero's in my eyes. Saw Henry Allingham on TV the other day, celebrating his 112th birthday and he still goes to Remembrance services every year. he had his gt.gt.gt. grandchild on his knee, and there's not many who can say they've done that! What a wonderful source of family history he must be. Certainly a lot easier than searching the archives or internet

[Petroc]

Thank you for your kind reply...and although it might not be quite the same, and if health precludes further visits, you are now a member of a community where members will do thir utmost to help you in your research and, if requested, will visit specific sites and photograph or record information that you might seek..but I nonetheless hope you are able to do this yourself

Andy

[irishmen1916]

Welcome to the Forum, you now have the bug, I joined to find out more about a Granduncle, now I am hooked, love the history and reading all the post's. Been to Flanders and the Somme, and all this since March. You will find lots of help here. And hope you get better soon. Peter

[Petroc]

Peter...so where did your great-uncle serve, and in what unit? Despite my necessary concentration of the 'bigger picture' my fascination for the more local and familial connections with the conflict remains..