Battlefield tours

Hello I am hoping to visit Italy as part of research into Cpl. Tom Spilman,a relative who was killed.
Has anyone used Leger Battlefield Tours from the UK?
Kind regards
John

 

I have and the Italian tour is great.
It's a long tour, 12 days I did, long days and a lot of travelling, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
See here:
My Trip to Italy May 2014/My father Ernest Illingworth, 56 Recce

Lesley

 

You may also like to have a chat with Frank (member “minden1759”).

This is his website:

cassinobattlefields – Explaining the past today

 

John.

If you want a tour that focuses mainly on visiting CWGC cemeteries with a few military sights thrown in then Leger is for you. It covers a large amount of ground so it is very much a whistle stop tour of everything.

If you want to understand the circumstances of Cpl Spilman's death on 23 Oct 44 whilst serving with 27th Lancers then Leger is not for you. I am not even sure that the coach stops at Cesena CWGC.

Regards

Frank

 

John.

At the time, 27 Lancers were responsible for the Eighth Army's right flank as it pushed slowly up Route 9 towards Bologna. It had a frontage of 20,000 yards to look after.

Regards

Frank

 

Thanks for the info. Frank.I will check the itinerary.

 

Thanks for this Lesley.

 

Thanks.I will have to explore alternatives.

 

There are a number of Battlefield Tour Guides on the forum all very good with specialisms in various theatres.
Never having been on one I have no first hand experience.

You might find this website of interest. At least one of them is a regular on the forum.

The Guild of Battlefield Guides

Try Find a Guide

 

Thank you for the suggestion. I will have a look.

 

John.

Look me up on www.Cassinobattlefields.co.uk

Regards

Frank

 

Strongly recommend Frank (minden1759) if his tours cover you area of interest.

 

I must say it was nice to have a good chat with Paul Reed, along with myself and Gary Tankard. A most affable chap. And yes, it was in a (Italian Military Cemetery) that I never knew about. That cemetery is something else. In a way it reminds of the Polish Cemetery at Cassino. These chaps got massacred in such a short space of time ( may be in three/ four days)? Mr Black Cat will know more about it. I think all of the Brigade got smashed to bits. Something in time I'm going to a read about.

Its the same day that we went to the French War Cemetery at Venafro, and guess what, it was closed.. Muppets. Its only open Monday-Friday! 0800hrs- 1400hrs. Really? I will book a appointment next time! It's a War Cemetery you idiots. I must phone that Macron chap next time.

P.S. Me being taxi-driver again.. Not carping.. I've got used to it, and don't mind it. BTW.. It pissed it down on some days.

Edit: Many photos of headstones was taken, plus the layout.. Its only a small cemetery. Nice one Gary for taking me there.

Regards,
Stu.

 

Stu
Pleased you had a good trip.
Paul Reed is a top bloke, he was the battlefield guide on my trip to Italy. He made the tour very special.

Lesley