The Old Contemptibles at War

More than a century after some of the first shots of the Great War were fired, join us as we travel through Belgium and France following the Old Contemptibles – the regular army who fought some of the first battles of the war at Mons, Le Cateau and Ypres. We see battle sites, cemeteries and memorials connected with the soldiers of 1914 who served with the BEF.

Tour Includes

4 nights hotel with continental breakfast
Specialist Battlefield Guide
Convenient local joining points

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Local departure by coach then to Belgium for a four-night stay.

This morning we start with the Battle of Mons and travel to Casteau to see were the first shots were fired in August 1914. We continue on to Nimy Bridge looking at the story of the first Victoria Crosses awarded to British troops. Following lunch in Mons we then travel to St. Symphorien Cemetery where some of the first and last Commonwealth casualties of WWI are buried. We end the day at Audregnies examining the largest use of cavalry; when two regiments of war horses charged the Germans in 1914.

Includes Breakfast

St. Symphorien Cemetery Nimy Bridge First Shots Memorial, Casteau Audregnies

We start the day at the excellent Mons War Museum and then follow the retreat south from the Belgian border and drive down near the Mormal Forest to the Le Cateau area. We look at the Guards at Landrecies, seeing their memorial, and then see where the Suffolk Regiment fought in August 1914, seeing the battlefield memorial site. Later we visit the Le Cateau Cemetery and follow the positions held on 26th August to the left flank at Esnes where General Snow’s men held these vital positions.

Includes Breakfast

Le Cateau Cemetery Landrecies Esnes Mons Military Museum Memorial, Le Cateau

The remnants of the Old Contemptibles fought their largest battle in 1914 at Ypres. We start just outside the Menin Gate and walk through Ypres Town Cemetery, seeing the 1914 burials. We then visit the In Flanders Fields Museum, one of the most important WWI museums in Europe. Following lunch at Hooge, we travel to Zillebeke Churchyard seeing the Aristocrats Cemetery, where many officers who fell in 1914 are buried. In Messines, we see the Visitor's Centre and visit the church crypt where Adolf Hitler sheltered from British shells in 1914. We end with the story of the Christmas Truce at St. Yvon, seeing the new Christmas Truce Memorial at Prowse Point.

Includes Breakfast

Menin Gate Messines Museum In Flanders Fields Museum Ypres Town Cemetery Zillebeke Churchyard Messines Church Prowse Point Cemetery Messines Visitor's Centre

Return home.

Includes Breakfast