Summer 2013
Page 2
Our recent tours continued
One of the Normandy group Andrew Howard is a very keen photographer and having toured the Somme and Ypres with Rifleman Tours in 2012 has published a book of his photographs from the tour. In early July we put together and guided a tour for the 16th Signal Regiment. There were 40 members and for four days we toured the Somme and Ypres Salient. Upon their arrival they took part in the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate forming a guard of honour for the participants who laid their wreaths at the end of the poignant ceremony. Each section studied different battle sites of the Somme and Ypres Salient and at the end of the day a discussion group chatted about the events that took place. At Tyne Cot two of the regiment traced relatives who were buried in the cemetery. One of them was a Brigadier General who had only arrived in Belgium five days prior to his death leading his brigade. It was an honour to guide this group of fine young men and women and I was delighted to receive the message below when we returned home.
Above: the group from the June Somme and Ypres Tour Below: Alan Manze and Tony from Rifleman Tours taking part in the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate
This can be purchased via the internet by following this link http://www.blurb.co.uk/ b/4077400-ypres-the-somme Every year in June we carry out a tour of the Somme and Ypres Salient and among the guests this year were a number who had personal visits to make. Nigel and Shirley Downes were placing personal tributes at the Thiepval Memorial on the Somme and Duhallows Military Cemetery in Ypres.
Shirley placing a wreath at Duhallows Cemetery (left) and Thiepval Memorial
On behalf of 16th Signal Regiment and 230 (Malaya) Signal Squadron I would like to thank Tony for his excellent tour of Ypres Salient and of The Somme. From the very first piece of communication to the final farewell in Ypres, Tony's service was first class. As for the tour, Tony put together a highly polished and professional bespoke package for 40 members of my team, and continued to dazzle them all with the romance of his stories and the passion that he harnesses for military history. Thank you Tony and best wishes for the future.
Above: Alan at his Uncle’s grave Left: the 16th Signal Regiment taking part in the Last Post Ceremony
Also with us was Alan Manze. Alan’s uncle was Rifleman Joseph Manze who was killed in 1917 on the Somme. Had he survived, Joseph would have been one of the heirs to the Manze ‘Pie and Mash’ shop empire. This will not mean much too many of you but if you live in London I’m sure you will be well aware of the shops that span the capital.