Battlefield tours

The tours are in August and September covering France and Belgium.

This year we plan to visit the Somme Battlefields, the Ypres Salient, Arras, Vimy Ridge and Loos Battlefield areas.

One hundred years ago on July 1, 1916, the Battle of the Somme began.

After the first day of fighting, the British Army casualties were in the vicinity of 57,000, the highest casualty figure the British Army ever suffered.

The Battle of the Somme was over by mid-November of that year.

The trips specialise in visiting specific cemeteries or memorials on the above mentioned battlefields as and when they are requested and an experienced battlefield guide will accompany each trip to commentate on the various battles and the many historic events that occurred in the areas we visit.

We can also assist people in the tracing of war graves from the First World War.

The KOYLI battlefield pilgrimages were formed as a charitable hobby in 1990 by ex-servicemen who have many years of practical experience in conducting visits to the First World War battlefield areas of France and Flanders and we support the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and other institutions.

These trips are open to anyone who might be interested and we welcome all inquiries.

We are a not-for-profit organisation.

Anyone who requires further information should write to John Battye, 32 Rhodes Street, Hightown, Castleford, West Yorkshire WF10 5LL or telephone 01977 734614. We ask for a medium-sized SAE for all postal replies.

John Battye

Castleford