Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours

18/03/2025

I just had one of those special moments that makes me realise how much I love what I do. My toddler son came into my office and started pulling books off my shelf - his latest fun game :). During the clean-up, I saw that one of the books had fallen open to an inscription I had never noticed before. The book was 'Bombers Battle', written anonymously in 1943, and it had been gifted to S.H. Davidson in the RAAF. I have no idea where this book came from, but the $10 price tag suggests I picked it up at a book fair or second-hand shop at some stage - I've never even read it. A quick bit of research revealed that Warrant Officer Stuart Davidson had indeed served in the RAAF in WW2, and was reported missing while on a combat mission in the Timor Sea in 1944. Interestingly, he was serving with the USAAF 530th Squadron at the time (as were the other crew members on his flight) and they were flying a B24 Liberator known as 'Sleepy Time Gal'. The aircraft ditched after suffering engine trouble and neither it nor any of the crew were ever found. They are all remembered on the memorial at the Adelaide River War Cemetery. Stuart Davidson would have received this book from 'Helen' just a few months before he was killed. A poignant little piece of history.

03/03/2025

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! Join Lambis Englezos, the man who discovered the mass grave of Australians at Fromelles, on a tour to the Western Front in July this year! This is a very special group tour, and will commemorate the anniversaries of the Battles of Fromelles and Pozieres on the ground where the Anzacs fought and died. Spaces are extremely limited, so book fast if you wish to join us! Find out more here: https://battlefields.com.au/fromelles-pozieres-anniversary-tour-2025/

10/02/2025

One of our podcast listeners, Terry Foxcroft, sent this photo of the street he grew up in. Great to see this history kept alive - and the explanation panel is a brilliant idea.

10/02/2025

New podcast!: Join me and historian John McManus as we discuss the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, on the latest episode of Living History. Listen for free here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1c5aSeyWYxF4KMPFmP1Amb?si=Y17ybBi7ToKcTdxiAiTnUg

29/01/2025

Come with me to France and Belgium in 2025! We still have a few places available on my Signature Tour to the Western Front, departing Aug 30 from Paris. This is the only tour I personally es**rt - join me as we explore all the key Australian battlefields in the Somme, Flanders and the Ypres Salient. This is our flagship tour, and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs. See you in Paris! Full information here:

Welcome to my Western Front Signature Tour 2025. I have hand-designed this itinerary to explore some of my favourite places on the Western Front. BOOK ONLINE!

23/01/2025

NEW VIDEO! Join me as I explore the war memorials of Hyde Park Corner in London, telling the stories of their history, design and significance to remembrance. Watch for free by clicking here: https://youtu.be/B5sOtcvHdAQ

22/01/2025

A new episode of my Living History podcast is now live, telling the story of the gruelling Somme winter of 1916/17. It was probably the harshest ordeal faced by Australian troops during the war, and one that those who survived it never forgot. Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/19kJmMWSc2sYacYk1CIXMC?si=52m1RZxmTVme-Kal6LeKyg

19/12/2024

From our brilliant historian Pete Smith. Thanks for a great year of touring Pete!

I’ve just completed my last tour of the year for Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours, and what a cracker it was. Two days following in the footsteps of No.365 C.Q.M.S. Charles Strelein, 1st Australian Tunnelling Company.
I concentrated on his time spent serving as a Sapper on the Salient around Ypres in 1917, including the notorious Hill 60. We also payed our regards to his comrades who rest in some of the many Commonwealth War Grave Cemeteries and also those commemorated on the Menin Gate. Sapper James Park the Company Bugler was killed by a shell whilst unloading rations at their advanced billets beside the Lille Gate, his mate William (Little Bill) Mutch was hit in the stomach by the same shell and died at a casualty clearing station, they were remembered by their comrades as “well liked” and “one of the best”.

Thanks to all the team at Mat McLachlan for a great year and making everything run so smoothly, I look forward to meeting next years clients.
I would also like to thank all the team at the Albion Hotel Ieper for all they do above and beyond to ensure both my clients and myself are superbly looked after, I would highly recommended the Albion if you are visiting Ypres.

19/12/2024

Sad news today that Bernard Delattre, the former mayor of Pozieres (site of Australia’s most costly battle), has passed away. He’s in the centre of this photo, taken a few years ago at Le Tommy Cafe.

08/12/2024

We were delighted to support the Red Poppy Ball this year - and congratulations to the winner of our tour on the Western Front! RSL LifeCare does brilliant work. Please support them if you can.

02/12/2024

Explore the D-Day battlefields on our luxury Normandy river cruise. Departing Paris in June and September, 2025, spend 8 days cruising the Seine River and discovering the jewels of northern France. You'll be accompanied by an expert WW2 historian, who will guide you around the American and British D-Day beaches and bring the history of D-Day to life. Visit https://battlefields.com.au/d-day-river-cruise-2025/ for full details.

02/12/2024

From our historian Pete Smith in the Somme: The road and a garden in the centre of Beaulencourt appear to have fallen into what was almost certainly a large German dugout.
It’s going to be a big engineering job as the subsidence is quite extensive beyond the hole.

22/11/2024

If you are travelling to Europe in 2025, don't miss the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs. Our Western Front Explorer Tour departs weekly, and is the only Australian tour that begins and ends in Paris. Spend four days exploring the Australian battlefields in the Somme, Ypres and Flanders, es**rted by the best Australian historians and staying in the heart of the battlefields. More information: https://battlefields.com.au/western-front-tours-2025/

11/11/2024

Former private Richard Norden has received the Victoria Cross for gallantry in Vietnam in 1968. Pte Norden had originally received the Distinguished Conduct Medal, but it was upgraded to the VC this week. Richard Norden died in a motorcycle crash in 1972 while serving with the ACT police.

05/11/2024

Planning a trip to Europe? Join one of our Explorer Tours and spend four days visiting the Australian battlefields in France and Belgium. The only Australian tour that begins and ends in Paris! Departs weekly.

Our most popular Western Front Tour! This 4-day tour provides the perfect opportunity to explore the Australian battlefields of the Western Front. BOOK ONLINE