The graves of Victoria Cross heroes from Doncaster are the destination for a special tour of First World War battlefields this summer.
In the year before the centenary of the start of the war, the Doncaster-based Victoria Cross Trust has set up the weekend from July 12 to 15, with a coach departing from Doncaster and making for the battlefields of Ypres and the Somme.
Gary Stapleton, founder of the VC Trust, which is dedicated to preserving the graves of VC heroes who died after they were discharged from military service, says visits to Belgium and France will be much more expensive in 2014 because of huge demand.
He said: “While we will explore the history of the First World War in relation to the areas we visit, there will be an emphasis on the Victoria Cross and the men awarded this highest honour.
“For those that join us from the Doncaster and South Yorkshire area there will be a special treat. We will be visiting a couple of local VC graves and the areas of VC actions from other local men.”
They will be paying their respects to William Hackett, from Mexborough, and Thomas Jackson, from Swinton, who were both killed earning the highest military honour.
They will also be visiting the locations where other local VCs fought, including Thomas Bryan, from Bentley, Laurence Calvert, from Conisbrough, George Wyatt, from Sprotbrough, and Gilbert Insall, from Scrooby.
Joining the tour will be Kevin Brazier, author of The Complete Victoria Cross and patron of the Victoria Cross Trust.
The tour costs from £418.50. Visit http://mlbft.co.uk/vctrust/ for further information.
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