Western Front tour

When planning a trip for October ’09, my wife, Marilyn, and I decided to include a tour of the World War I battle sites in northern Belgium and France. This would be a special tour for my wife, whose uncle’s name is inscribed on the Canadian War Memorial at Vimy Ridge, the site of a significant battle.

We did not wish to drive ourselves and we wanted a knowledgeable guide to show us around. After doing some checking on the Internet, we decided to go with Mike Williamson of Williamsomme Tours (12 Abbey St., Faversham, Kent, ME13 7BE, UK; phone +44 0 01795 538069, www.williamsommetours.co.uk). It turned out to be an excellent decision.

Mr. Williamson offers custom tours of the sites using a seven-person van. The tours may be started in England, northern France or Belgium. Our four-day, three-night tour started in Brugge, Belgium, and ended near London. The all-inclusive cost was £395 (about $604) per person.

We stayed in Mr. Williamson’s restored farmhouse in Yvrench, France. It was an exceptionally comfortable and welcoming place, with modern conveniences.

We visited many sites in Flanders, ending the day with the moving Menin Gate Ceremony in Ypres. In the Somme we visited Serre, Auchonvillers, memorial sites and the site of Baron von Richthofen’s (the Red Baron’s) plane crash. We also went underground in the remains of some of the 22 miles of tunnels designed to house troops at Vimy Ridge.

So much ordnance was used in the battles of the Somme that you will still find bullets and shrapnel in the ploughed fields next to the paths, as we did.

The Williamsons were great hosts and extremely knowledgeable about the Western Front. They keep an extensive library of books and DVDs for use by their guests. Overall, this was one of the most informative short trips we have taken in our travels.

REG GOODFELLOW

Carmichael, CA