Leger Holidays Leger Holidays Battlefields 2012 (page 4)

Memories of Belgium Leger's five-day tour of the Battlefields of Belgium was the third for Brian Bush from Nottingham. Not only did the tour add to his list of Battlefields visited, it also allowed him to pay his respects to a lost relative. Our first day of visits was to Mons, where the first and last shots of WWI were fired. We travelled on to Nimy Bridge, the site of the first large battle and then onto St. Symphorien Cemetery, where the first and last soldiers to die are buried almost opposite each other. On our return to Mons for lunch, we visited the cathedral and Mons Square. You have no doubt all heard the stories of the Brass Monkey and it being related to cold weather. Well here sitting on the side of a building is the original Brass Monkey, where soldiers of the First and Second World Wars stroked its head for luck before going into battle, and its head is still shining. Brass monkey in Mons Next stop was the Brussels National War Museum, which, being like our Imperial War Museum is of tremendous size. One can only concentrate on a small section in two hours. Paying My Respects Our second day started with a visit to the Menin German Cemetery, which is virtually a mass grave of 48,000, with 20 names on each grave slab. Next came the American Flanders Field Cemetery which, at 6 acres, is the smallest of eight American Cemeteries from WWI, followed by our third cemetery of the morning, Tyne Cot, the largest Commonwealth Cemetery in the world. In memory of a relative The Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate has just got to be the highlight of any WWI tour. If I ever went on holiday to Ypres I would be there every night, as every ceremony is different with perhaps a choir or band to add to the atmosphere. Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. This has just got to be the highlight of any WWI tour. If I ever went on holiday to Ypres I would be there every night, as every ceremony is different with perhaps a choir or band to add to the atmosphere. The Last Post is played every night by the Firemen of Ypres, and they have been doing so since 1928, apart from in the Second World War. What commitment and dedication. They are an inspiration to all who attend the ceremony. Comfort and Care Our hotel was clean and comfortable, and unusual in that we went downstairs to bed and upstairs for breakfast! The coach drivers, Steve and Andy from Devon, were brilliant efficient and friendly and when our guide Tony asked them to go down narrow lanes to find his remarkable places of interest, it was no trouble to them. This was my 3rd trip with Leger Holidays, my first being Normandy Beaches followed by All Quiet on the Western Front, I'm looking forward to my next tour which may be Arnhem or Dunkirk, but whichever I would certainly like to go with Tony Carr as Battlefields Guide. Brian Bush, Nottingham. Turn to page 14 for full details of The Battlefields of Belgium tour. Going The Extra Mile Our third day of tours was WWII battlefields, with visits to Tournai and its cemetery, the Escaut Canal where the defence line was held and then onto Adelhem for another great lunch followed by a visit to the Canada, Polish Museum. Our guide, Tony Carr gave us quite a surprise; he was visiting this district in February with his wife and found an original Bailey Bridge, still in use today over the Leopold Canal and part of Operation Switchback. This is the kind of research that Tony puts into these tours he goes the extra mile to keep the people interested. Our final visit of the day was to the Northern Beaches of Belgium for the Second D-Day, where the Canadians landed to achieve the opening of Antwerp harbour. Here I paid my respects and left a poppy cross to a second cousin, Pte Mark Bush of the 2/6th Bat. Sherwood Foresters. At the age of 30 he died on 26th Sept, 1917. His name is on the Wall of the Missing. The Highlight of our WWI Visits After lunch at Hooge we continued on to visit the well laid out private museum, the chateau and the crater, plus the nearby cemetery. This is a definite must for any WWI tour, along with the Menin Gate. In the afternoon we visited the Dixmuide Trenches, Vladslo German Cemetery and Essex Farm Cemetery. Our final call of the day was the most important of all: The Bailey Bridge A Walk Through the Fields Martin Arnold from Essex has joined many Battlefields tours with Leger over the years. He enjoyed the five-day Walking the Ypres Salient break so much that he booked again. This year, he is considering returning for a third time. I have been travelling with Leger Holidays for several years, solely doing Battlefield tours. I have done the Ardennes tour and two walking tours of the Ypres Salient. As expected, the tour was efficiently organised from the pick-up point to the hotel in Ypres. The drivers and the Battlefields Guides were as usual, friendly, helpful and a mine of knowledge. I also chose the Walking the Ypres Salient holiday for the second time because the Novotel is a superb hotel, right near the main square and the Menin Gate, the rooms are first class and the breakfasts fit for a king. Although classed as a walking tour, it is at a leisurely pace and suitable for all ages. I enjoy it because I work in an office and it's a good way of enjoying the Flanders countryside. The guides would stop at strategic places along the way and discuss where the front lines were, often supported by old photos to show the difference between now and then. There were five planned walks on various subjects: a canal walk taking in various cemeteries and bunkers; the east side of Messines Ridge, visiting several more cemeteries and a British bunker complex; we looked at the role of the medical Although classed as a walking tour, it is at a leisurely pace and suitable for all ages. I enjoy it because I work in an office and it's a good way of enjoying the Flanders countryside. services and how the complex operation functioned in the field; and another excellent walk starting at the Passchendaele Military Museum, walking through the village of Passchendaele itself and ending at the awesome Tyne Cot cemetery. One evening we went for a hog roast, exclusively for our party. It was a great evening, complemented by some good Flemish beer. There was also a visit to the seaside town of Nieuport where the front line met the coast and was mainly manned by the Belgian Army. I think the main impact of this tour will always be the cemetery at Tyne Cot and the awful human cost of war. The ceremony at the Menin Gate I never tire of and is a daily reminder of those who have no known graves. If you are considering a Battlefield tour where there's some good camaraderie with your fellow travellers, where you will find highly skilled guides and drivers and superb hotel accommodation, don't delay book with Leger. I am seriously considering booking my third Walking The Ypres Salient tour what more proof could you have. Martin Arnold, Essex. Turn to page 17 for full details of our Walking the Ypres Salient tour. by 4 Choose from over 490 convenient local joining points see page 7 for more details