Update 23 January 2012: Tour now Sold Out
The lead up to the centenary commemorations is a very good time to launch a series of Western Front Association tours for our membership. As previously mentioned, the inaugural trip takes place next Autumn, in October 2012. Long-standing members may recall the Association arranged tours for our members but, for a variety of reasons, this stopped a number of years ago. We are delighted to announce their return for 2012.
The Chairman's Tour, offered exclusively to Western Front Association members, is being arranged for the Association by the innovative specialist tour operator Battle Honours Limited.
The tour's main purpose is to provide an in-depth study of the ground between Arras and Cambrai. It is aimed at both at people who are visiting the battlefields for the first time as well as regular pilgrims to the area.
Unlike scheduled Battle Honours tours that you may be familiar with, this is not a walking tour and so it is open to people of all ages and abilities. It will however have the same ethos of regular Battle Honours tours, that is too say it will be un-rushed, feel like a small friendly group and will, of course, be passionately led by Clive Harris and one of his guiding colleagues to a high standard.
We intend to include as many personal visits as are requested. All of these will be interweaved with the overview narrative of the campaign, with the intention that this will put the soldier in focus and in perspective with the action he fought in and it will, as such, offer far more than just a cemetery visit.
If you have a relative who fought in the Battles of Arras or Cambrai, the March Retreat or the Advance to Victory and you wish to see their battlefield through a detailed study of the ground, this tour will appeal to you,
The exact tour itinerary will evolve as more people book places but the outline is as follows:
- Tour base - Our host Philippe Gorczynski owns the excellent Hotel Beatus in Cambrai, www.beatus-cambrai.com with comfortable, well-appointed rooms and an excellent restaurant. From this base our longest drive will be 45 minutes during the tour. The hotel is also well placed for exploring Cambrai and there will be no pressure to dine as a group; this is your tour and as such is arranged on a bed & breakfast basis.
- 26 October 2012 - Coach pick up in Birmingham, London and Maidstone services before onward travel via Dover to Calais. Cemetery visit on route to our mainstay hotel in Cambrai, welcome brief on arrival.
- 27 October 2012 - The Battle of Arras - a full day's study to include a visit to the Maison Blanche sub-terrain with David Hedges of the Durand Group, visits to Tilloy, Monchy, Roux, Gavrelle, Oppy Wood and Heninel complete our day before returning to Cambrai.
- 28 October 2012 - The Hindenburg Line - a full day's study including Croiselles, Cherisy, Queant, the Canal du Nord and Bourlon Wood, before returning to Cambrai.
- 29 October 2012 - A visit to D51 Deborah and presentation by Philippe Gorczynski; a tour of the Havrincourt battlefield completes our morning before a return via Calais to Dover and onward to Maidstone, London and Birmingham
As the tour fills up and individual requests are taken into consideration, the itinerary will develop in more detail. The key thing to remember is this is your tour and it will be tailored to meet your needs.
This tour is designed to enable WFA members to travel to the battlefields together and gain greater insights into this conflict which fascinates us all. It will also create an even stronger bond between members of our Association and foster the WFA's great sense of camaraderie. There are around 30 places available so, as we are accompanied by two experienced guides, the focus is on quality with a ratio of 15 clients per guide
The tour will be guided by Clive Harris and one of his colleagues from Battle Honours Ltd, both of whom will hold the Guild of Battlefield Guides' Badge. In addition, we will have an input from David Hedges of the Durand Group when studying the Tunnelling Campaign at Arras, and from Philippe Gorczynski when studying the Tanks at Cambrai. Both of these speakers are widely acknowledged as authorities in their field.
Costs: £375.00 per person. This is inclusive of a shared room at the Hotel Beatus for three nights on a B&B basis, a group meal on the final evening, return travel from a designated UK pick up, executive coach and guides throughout.
Single Supplement - this is available for £75:00 per person if required; where possible and if requested this will also include a single seat in a pair on the coach.
Please use the documents downloadable below to make your booking.
Bookings should be sent direct to
Battle Honours Ltd
PO Box 74
Knebworth
SG3 6TH
Cheque payments should be made to "Battle Honours Ltd" and a £100.00 deposit secures your place.
Alternatively, you can book your space today by contacting Clive and the Battle Honours team on 01438 816661: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
| File | Description | File size | Last modified |
|---|---|---|---|
 Payment_Options_for_the_WFA_Chairmans_Tour_2012.pdf | Payment Options for The Chairman's Tour: Arras to Cambrai - 26/29 October 2012 | 88 Kb | 19/11/11 15:43 |
| WFA_Chairmans_Tour_Oct_2012_Booking.pdf | Booking Form for The Chairman's Tour: Arras to Cambrai - 26/29 October 2012 | 1378 Kb | 19/11/11 15:42 |
