• No greater contrast do we experience when we visit the death and shooting post where the “Shot at Dawns” lost their lives. • Also visit the famous Talbot House where soldiers could briefly forget the war. • We will visit the grave of one of only three double VC recipients, Noel Chavasse. • Farewell dinner for our guide Rod Bedford. • (B, L & D)
Talbot House, Poperinge (Belgium)
Julie at the grave of Martin Neagle, Buttes New British Cemetery, Belgium
Wednesday 08 October 2014 • YPRES SALIENT Rod Bedford guiding. Personal commemorations at cemeteries and memorials will be built into the itinerary as requested. • Travel to eastern Ypres and learn of the horror of the Battle of Passchendaele. • Visit the grave of Julie’s great Uncle Martin Neagle who lost his life in the battle of Passchendaele. Parts of her new book Jimmy’s Anzac Pilgrimage will be shared at the gravesite. • Following the visit to Martin’s grave you can walk through the woods and see some of the remains of bunkers built during the war. • We will enjoy lunch at the De Dreve Inn owned by underground war expert Johan Van De Walle who will share many of his extraordinary experiences in the recovery of soldiers’ remains over the years. • After lunch visit the largest Commonwealth War Cemetery in the world – Tyne Cot – where 13,000 graves are surrounded by memorials with 33,000 names on them. • From Tyne Cot we proceed to the German cemetery at Langemark. At the entrance of Langemark is a memorial rose garden which lies on top of a mass grave of German soldiers of over 40,000 men. • End the day at the peace park of Hill 60. • Attend the 8.00 pm Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate – lay a wreath at the ceremony (go to www.lastpost.be) to learn of this extraordinary daily event). • (B & L) Thursday 09 October 2014 • YPRES SALIENT Rod Bedford guiding. Personal commemorations at cemeteries and memorials will be built into the itinerary as requested. • Travel to Pleogsteert the site of one of the outbreaks of a truce on Christmas Eve 1914 where enemies left their trenches for a brief sharing of their common humanity. Flo’s song “Christmas Truce” will be played at this location. • Proceed to Poperinge. Poperinge was behind the front lines and it developed as a major medical centre and place of R and R for the battle weary troops.
Friday 10 October 2014 • YPRES • Morning – visit to ‘The Passchendaele Experience: Museum Trenches Dugout” at Zonnebeke. • Return to Ypres to visit the unique ‘In Flanders Fields’ Museum which features interactive displays and access to the belfry for a superb view of the town of Ypres. • Afternoon at leisure in Ypres. • Final dinner for the tour group and our driver Richard. (B & D) Saturday 11 October 2014 • YPRES - LILLE - HEATHROW • The tour ends today. For those travelling to Paris or other destinations by train, you will be dropped off at the train station in Lille. • Members of the group returning to the UK will travel with the coach to Heathrow airport EITHER to fly home OR return to the city of London via the Heathrow Express into Paddington Station. Singer-songwriter Ms Flo Bourke, at the site of the 1914 Christmas Truce
Price Includes: • 11 nights moderate accommodation • 11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners • Transportation, guiding & highlighted sightseeing as per itinerary • Tipping & gratuities • Pre-tour research by Julie Reece can be provided as requested • Copy of “Jimmy’s Anzac Pilgrimage” & research materials