Canadian First World War Tours

Follow in the footsteps of Heroes

on an In The Footsteps^®

Canadian First World War Tour

Our In The Footsteps tour^® will visit the most significant sites associated with the Canadian Corps in the First World World. Our expert battlefield historian / guide will explain how important they were in the formation of an effective and efficient Canadian Corps, which for many heralded the birth of the Canadian Army and cemented Canada's national identity and nationhood.

Our 5-day/4-night Flexi Tour

Day One: Ypres Salient

The meeting point for our In the footsteps^® of the Canadian Corps in the First World War tour is Gare de Lille Europe. Your battlefield historian / guide will collect you at 09.00 am and drive you to the Ypres Salient where you begin the tour.

We begin our tour following in the footsteps of the Canadian First Contingent (later 1st Canadian Division) in the Second Battle of Ypres battlefield, visiting:

• French memorial Pilckem — The First Major use of Gas on the Western front and beginning of the Second Battle of Ypres.
• The German Military Cemetery at Langemarck.
• Canadian Brooding Soldier, Vancouver Corner, St Juliaan — The Canadian's holding the line.
• Canada's First WW1 Victoria Crosses:
  • Lance Corporal Frederick Fisher VC, 13th Battalion CEF.
  • Lieutenant Edward Donald Bellew VC, 7th Battalion CEF.
  • CSM Frederick William Hall VC, 8th Battalion CEF.
  • Captain Francis A C Scrimger, 14th Battalion CEF.
• Mouse Trap Farm — Brigadier Richard Turner VC 3rd Brigade Headquarters.
• Kitcheners Wood — The 10th (Calgary Highlanders) Battalion and 16th (Canadian Scottish) Battalion securing the open flank.
• Essex Farm Cemetery and Advance Dressing Station:
  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemeteries.
  • Private Valentine J Strudwick.
  • Private Thomas Barratt VC.
  • The Medical System in the First World War.
  • In Flanders Field John McCrae.

Our first day concludes with a visit to the mine crater at St Eloi where we discuss the actions of the 2nd Canadian Division.

Day Two: Ypres Salient and Vimy Ridge

Our second day begins with touring the Canadian Mount Sorrel battlefield where we discuss the German Assault, death of Major-General Malcolm Mercer and the Canadian counterattack.

We continue our tour following in the footsteps of the Canadian Corps in the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) battlefield, visiting:

• Visit the Passchendaele 1917 Museum.
• The Passchendaele battlefield.
• Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery.

Our second day concludes as we drive south from the Ypres Salient to the battlefield at Vimy Ridge where we visit:

• The Canadian Visitor Centre.
• Reconstructed trenches.
• Grange Subway.
• The Canadian National Memorial.

Day Three: The 1916 Battle of the Somme

We continue our tour following in the footsteps of the Canadian Corps in the 1916 Battle of the Somme battlefield, visiting:

• Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps — Shot at Dawn.
• Newfoundland Park at Beaumont Hamel.
• Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.
• Lochnagar Crater.
• Mametz — Devonshire Trench Cemetery.
• Fricourt German Military Cemetery.
• La Boisselle.
• Pozières.
• Courcelette.
• Regina Trench and the Thiepval Ridge.

Day Four: Canada's Last Hundred Days

We continue our tour following in the footsteps of the Canadian Corps in the 1918 during "The Last Hundred Days", visiting:

• Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery.
• Hangard Wood.
• Marcelcave.
• Wiencourt-l'Équipée.
• Guillaucourt.
• Le Quesnel Canadian Memorial.
• Drocourt-Quéant Line.
• Dury Canadian Memorial.
• Canal du Nord at Mœuvres.
• Bourlon Wood Canadian Memorial.
• Cantimpre Canadian Cemetery.

Day Five: Canada's Last Hundred Days

We continue our tour following in the footsteps of the Canadian Corps in 1918 during "The Last Hundred Days", visiting:

• Niagara British Cemetery, Cambrai.
• Denain.
• Valenciennes:
  • Le Poirier Station.
  • Famars.
  • Mont Houy.
• The bridge on the Aunelle in Quiévrain.
• Quiévrain Municipal Cemetery.
• Saint-Symphorien Cemetery.
• George Lawrence Price Memorial Plaque.
• First Shot Memorial and Last Shot Plaque.
• Grote Market, Mons.

At the end of our visit to Mons your battlefield historian / guide will return you to Gare de Lille Europe for approximately 5.30 pm.

Please note: Itineraries are subject to change due to operational reasons. Any changes will be advised closer to the time of departure.

The cost of your tour

The typical cost for a 5-day/4-night In the footsteps^® of the Canadian Corps in the First World War tour is £1,250.00 GBP * per person.

This price per person are based upon:

• Two people sharing a twin room.
• A minimum of 4 people touring. If less than 4 people travelling we will produce a specific proposal for your consideration.
• Travel in a dedicate tour vehicle driven by our expert battlefield historian / guide.

A supplement of £150.00 GBP * applies where single occupancy is required.

A deposit of 30% or £200.00 GBP per person, whichever is the greater, is payable on booking.

An additional supplement may apply for anniversary dates to cover any increase in the associated costs.

Booking indicates your acceptance of our Tour Terms and Conditions.

* The costs may vary from those shown above due to the availability and selection of hotels and other associated costs, and variations in the exchange rate.

What your tour includes

• In-tour land travel only.
• 3-days escorted tour of the battlefields with one of our expert battlefield historian / guides.
• Comprehensive touring of all the major battlefield sites, including many of the less frequently visited out-of-the-way sites.
• All museum admission fees.
• 3-nights accommodation at one of our 3-star partner hotels.
• The opportunity to visit specific cemeteries and graves within tour area (as agreed prior to your tour).
• The opportunity to discuss your battlefield travel plans with our expert team.

What your tour does not include

• Meals.
• Drinks.
• Personal expenses.

Optional Extras

All of our Flexi-date tours can have optional extras added to them. We can, for example, add any of the following to your tour: -

• Transfer to the battlefield area.
• Ferry crossings or Eurostar from the UK.
• Accommodation the night before the tour.
• Accommodation the night night after the tour.
• Lunches.
• Full-board.
• All inclusive.
• Additional days.

Customising your Flexi-date tour

All of our Flexi-date tours are fully customisable to allow you to see the sites that are most important to you. Where changes to the standard itinerary are made there may be an additional charge to cover the associated additional costs.

Financial Protection

Your money is safe. We are members ot the TTA and all monies paid to us are held in a trust account and cannot be drawn down by us until the tour is over.

Why travel with In The Footsteps?

• We have over 16 years experience in designing and operating Private Battlefield Tours, Battlefield Studies and Staff Rides.
• Our team of battlefield historians and guides are selected for their experience, depth of knowledge, enthusiasm and ability to tell the story in an entertaining and engaging way. The majority are accredited members of the prestigious Guild of Battlefield Guides. This means they endeavour to maintain high levels of good practice commensurate with the Guild's ethos.
• We operate a full booking, planning and design service.
• Office is open 24-hours a day whilst the tour is operating.
• Combined Employers and Public Liability Insurance (a copy can be supplied upon request).

Enquire About Your Canadian First World War Tour Today

If you are interested in this tour please contact us on enquiries@inthefootsteps.com or click on the button below which will take you to our Enquiry Form. Either way, please tell us which tour you are interested in, when you would like to go and how many people there are in your party. You will receive a reply within 24 hours.





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Page last updated: 25 October 2020.