Surgery and Treatment on the Western Front
Our knowledge of medicine and the human body has grown at a truly staggering pace in the last 100 years and one of the most noticeable places to see such evolution was the battlefield. As war provided a constant stream of wounded, new challenges were met with new solutions and the world of medicine was refined into the study we know now.
PLACES TO VISIT
Langemark German Cemetery
In complete contrast to Tyne Cot, this dark and foreboding place is the only German cemetery in the Salient, with the remains of over 44,000 soldiers including a mass grave of 25,000 men.
Essex Farm
This cemetery contains the notable graves of 15-year old Pte. Joe Strudwick and Pte. Thomas Barratt V.C. Outside the cemetery is the Albertina Memorial to the poet John McCrae. He is reputed to have written what is perhaps the war’s best known poem, ‘In Flanders Fields’, in a bunker dressing station here.
The Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917
This fascinating museum, situated in the grounds of Zonnebeke chateau, gives an overview of the Battle of Ypres, with a focus on Passchendaele 1917, by means of authentic photographic material, historical artefacts and several life-like dioramas.
Visitors can walk through a German trench and descend into a unique 6 metre deep British dugout with communication and dressing posts, headquarters and accommodation. The museum also has reconstructed German and British trench systems.
Hill 60
Although just 60 metres above sea level at the northern end of the Messines Ridge, Hill 60 was a crucial, strategic vantage point from where the Germans could look down on Ypres.
Brandhoek
Lying just a few miles west of Ieper town, Brandhoek was an area just out of range of enemy fire, making it an ideal spot for a field dressing station and cemetery. The site is the final resting place of Captain Noel Chavasse VC, a British doctor on the front line who continued to tend to wounded in spite of his own injuries.
Arras Memorial to the Missing
Situated on the outskirts of Arras, the memorial wall carries the names of 36,000 servicemen with no known grave who died in battles in the Arras sector. The enclosed Faubourg d’Amiens cemetery contains 2,700 graves.
Ulster Tower
A memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division. The tower is located very near to the famous Schwaben Redoubt which the Division attacked on 1st July 1916. The front lines were at the edge of Thiepval Wood which lies to the south-west of the road between the Thiepval memorial and the Ulster Tower. Guided tours of nearby trenches are available (advance booking essential).
Lochnagar Crater
This impressive crater is situated east of the village of La Boiselle. Approximately 90 metres in diameter and 20 metres deep, it was created by a mine detonated on 1st July 1916. This is now a permanent memorial to the soldiers who lost their lives on the first day of the Battle of The Somme.
Pozieres
The site of the memorial to the dead of the Tank Corps of 1916-1918, and where the first tanks in history saw action.
Tyne Cot Cemetery
The world’s largest Commonwealth war cemetery containing the graves of 11,962 men. The rear wall of the cemetery contains the names of almost 35,000 soldiers who have no known grave.
The visitor centre complements your visit to the cemetery.
Lijssenthoek CWGC & Medical Visitor Centre
The small Belgian Hamlet of Lijssenthoek was once home to the largest evacuation hospital in The Ypres Salient. Now the site commemorates 10,000 casualties as the second largest war cemetery in Flanders. The visitor centre contains a fascinating insight into the practises that took place as well as just some of the the stories behind the headstones.
Serre French Cemetery
The village of Serre regularly fluctuated between British and German control. The fighting was fierce and a huge number of casualties were taken throughout the war in Serre and the surrounding area.
Serre – Kitchener’s Arm
The 1st of July 1916 saw the first day of The Somme when more than 57,000 British troops lost their lives. In the village of Serre, the 31st Division were mowed down when advancing through the city. Of the 700 that went into the battle, more than 500 were killed in the first 30 minutes of conflict. Many of these men were in “Kitchener’s Army” and enlisted as volunteers to aid in the war effort. Take in the scale of this loss with a 90 minute walk around the battlefields.
The Menin Gate
The famous British War Memorial, with engraved names of over 54,000 missing British and Commonwealth soldiers who lost their lives on the Ypres Salient.
Talbot House, Poperinge
Poperinge remained one of the few unoccupied towns in Flanders and, in 1915, Talbot House was opened as an ‘Everyman’s Club’, where all soldiers were welcomed, regardless of rank.
Gheluvelt 1914
In 1914, this minute village outside Ypres was the scene of one of the most pivotal conflicts in the First World War. The Worcestershire Regiment charged into enemy fire with bayonets in spite of the British Expeditionary Force's withdrawal. Of the 600 that took part in the charge, one third were killed or wounded in the assault, yet their efforts were ultimately successful in holding Allied lines in Flanders.
PLACES TO STAY
Novotel
Short walking distance to market square. Free Wifi. Fitness centre, strictly non smoking. Meeting rooms available. Single, Twin, double and family rooms. Terrace. Aircon
Munchenhof Hotel
Located in the quiet village of Langemark, about 8km from Ypres, This youth hotel can accept two groups, split between the main building and the adjacent annexe. All 39 rooms have en suite bathroom and toilet.
Messines Peace Village
Quietly located in Messines village and only 15 minutes’ drive from Ypres town.
• Spacious purpose-built youth centre
• 40 multi-bedded chalets with en suite facilities
• Meeting room available with DVD facilities
• Games room with table football and pool table
• Outside grassed playing area
CJT De Iep
Situated about 20 minutes’ walk from Ypres town centre.
• Single group centre
• Students in 2-4 bedded rooms
• Staff in twin and single rooms
• Ample communal shower and toilet facilities
• Games area with table tennis and table football
• Outside grassed playing area
Albion Hotel
short walking distance to city centre. 32 rooms. Single, twin, double or family room available. Lounge/bar. Strictly Non smoking rooms
Ypres Lodge
Located about 1.5km from the Menin Gate in Ypres town.
• Modern purpose-built centre for youth groups
• Students in multi-bedded en suite rooms
• Staff in twin and single en suite rooms
• Games area with table tennis, table football and DVD facilities
• Smaller private meeting rooms available (advance booking required)
Menin Gate School Hotels
Four hotels located within 5 minutes’ walk of the town square – all under the same management and all of which are of an older style property.
Each centre has:
• Breakfast room (evening meals taken at local restaurant)
• Meeting room
• Internet and games room.
• Students are accommodated in multi bedded rooms
• Staff in twins and singles
• All rooms have a shower and WC.
New Regina
City centre location. Near to Menin Gate. Views of the Cloth . 28 rooms. Twins and doubles 3 star hotel. Buffet breakfast. Tea room
Oude Abdij (Old Abbey)
Located in the small village of Lo, between the Belgian coast and Ypres town.
• Can accommodate up to 3 groups at a time
• Students in multi-bedded en suite rooms
• Staff in twin and single en suite rooms
• Extensive restaurant area can be used for meetings
• Games area with table tennis, table football and DVD facilities
CJT De Lork
Quietly located near Kemmel village and only 15 minutes’ drive from Ypres town.
• Highly recommended, spaciously-built youth centre
• Maximum of 176 beds for students in multi-bedded en suite rooms
• Staff in twin and single en suite rooms
• 7 meeting/classrooms
• Table tennis, table football and outside area
• Large sports hall available during the evening (advance booking required)
Itinerary Example
Day 1: Travel from your chosen departure point to the Channel coast for your morning crossing to Calais or Dunkirk. Possible visits today include Lijssenthoek CWGC & Medical Visitor Centre, Talbot House, Poperinge, and the war graves at Brandhoek before continuing to your accommodation.
Day 2: After breakfast, depart for the Ypres Salient. Excursion options include Gheluvelt, Hill 60, Essex Farm, Langemark and the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917. Later, return to Ypres to attend the moving Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate before heading back to your accommodation.
Day 3: Leave your accommodation after breakfast and travel into France to explore the Somme region. Visits may include Serre, Ulster Tower, La Boiselle and Pozières before continuing on to your accommodation for your final night.
Day 4: Following breakfast, enjoy a short visit to the Arras Memorial to the Missing before departing Calais for your return journey home.