Anzac Day on the Western Front (Lille to Lille Tour)

Spend ANZAC Day 2013 on the western Front in FRANCE & BELGIUM, 23 – 25 APRIL 2013

3 Day Coach & Hotel Tour: only £255 per peson – Start & Finish at our central Lille Hotel!

We also have a tour which starts and finishes in London, England. Please click here to see details of our London to London tour

Whilst Gallipoli marked the first major involvement of ANZAC troops in World War One, it was on the Western Front in France and Belgium that saw ANZAC soldiers serve and give their lives in highest numbers during horrendous warfare. Join us for a 3 day 2 night emotional tour of some of the major Anzac battlefields and memorials in Northern France and Belgium. Also attend the ANZAC Day dawn service at Villers-Bretonneaux on 25 April 2013 to commemorate ANZAC involvement on the Western Front.

More than 310,000 Australian troops (after their 8 month ordeal in Gallipoli) fought on the Western Front in France, with around 53,000 losing their lives. Despite all the bloodshed, ANZAC troops in particular are still remembered amongst their allies and by the local French people for their bravery and significant contributions during these terrible battles.

One example of ANZAC participation was the battle at Villers- Bretonneux where 2 Brigades of Australian troops liberated the town on ANZAC Day 1918, and not only halted a German advance but forced their retreat. Each year at the Australian memorial at Villers-Bretonneux a dawn service is held on 25 April and is attended by over 5000 people.

During our ANZAC Day on the Western Front Tour, we will attend the dawn service at Villers-Bretonneux to remember those ANZAC troops who lost their lives and also visit their memorial. The size and solitude of the memorial is awe-inspiring, a 32 meter high tower carries the name of over 11,000 soldiers who have no known grave in France. The local French people are so appreciative of the ANZAC troops that liberated their town, the local primary school (The Victoria School) in Villers- Bretonneux still carries a large sign painted in English “Do Not Forget Australia”.

On the first day we meet in the reception of out central Lille hotel at 1.00pm and drive to Belgium and visit the Passchendaele battlefield’s. We spend time at Tyne Cot cemetery, the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the world which is the resting place of 11,956 Commonwealth soldiers. Tyne Cot cemetery is located on the ground the Australian 3 Division captured on 4 October 1917. We also visit Polygon Wood cemetery, which is also home to the Australian 5^th Division memorial. We also visit Hill 60, the site of the famous 2010 film “Beneath Hill 60”. This evening you will be given free time in central Ypres for dinner (not included) before we attend the moving Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate. We will then drive to Lille and should be back at the hotel around 9.30pm.

On the second day we have breakfast in the hotel (not included) and then visit Fromelles. In just one day and one night of fighting in July 1916, 5,533 Australian soldiers were killed, wounded or taken prisoner. The Australian war memorial describes the battle as “the worst 24 hours in Australia’s entire history.” After a stop for lunch (included) we then visit Bullecourt and Pozierers. The Australians sustained massive casualties (23,000) during the battle of Pozieres, as Australian official historian Charles Bean said, “the Pozières ridge is more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other place on earth.” Finally today we visit the Thiepval memorial and Beaumont–Hamel trenches before we return to the hotel around 6pm for dinner in Lille (not included) and an early night!

On the third day (ANZAC Day) we have a very early start (approx 2.30am) and attend the ANZAC Day dawn service at Villers-Bretonneux, home of the Australian Memorial. We also visit the museum and school which has the “do not forget Australia” sign. We visit Adelaide Cemetery, and see the grave from which a unknown soldier was exhumed and taken back home and is now laid to rest in the tomb of the unknown soldier at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. For our final stop we visit Le Hamel before our drive back to the hotel in Lille. Once we arrive back at our hotel in Lille the tour terminates.

During our tour we stay in the Ibis Hotel in the centre of the beautiful French city of Lille, one of the most fought over cities in the world. All rooms are twin or double rooms and en suite. The hotel has its own bar and restaurant, but is also located in the centre of Lille and is surrounded by bars, restaurants and shops.

Please Note: We attend the Australia ANZAC Day dawn service at Villers Brettoneux, and this particular tour itinerary is intended for Australian clients.