Canadian Battlefield Tours

04/03/2024

Been a few good early March days. Booked a couple of 4 day Pilgrimage Battlefield Tours for Toronto folks. A May tour and a September tour. All is good.

23/06/2022

This 4 day WWI tour just finished a few hours ago. Great testimonial from a well informed guest. Another job well done Jon.

We've just finished the WWI Tour. Jon saw to it that I visited all the important sites and battles where my Uncle's would have been involved! Very thoroughly done.
We stopped at their Tearoom where I met his wife and even mother-in-law! Nice people!
Thank you for setting this up. I could not have accomplished this on my own. The man knows how to drive this part of France and how! Far from what I could have accomplished
If I could help you or Jon with recommends, please don't hesitate to refer to me.

Thank you!

Frank Bucknum,
Victoria BC, V9B 0T2.

13/06/2022

What a great, informational post.

We were proud to have Indigenous members represent the Canadian Army at the 1st Annual Alumni & Student Pow Wow at St. Clair College in Windsor on June 3-5, 2022.

Cpl DJ White (left) is a traditional dancer from Walpole Island First Nation, and a current serving member the Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment. Sgt Ray Starks (centre) is a member of the M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island, and also an Essex Scot who is currently under another command.

The two served as flag bearers for the ceremonies, and are seen here with Mr Wallace Williams of Walpole Island First Nation.

Cpl Smith performed traditional dances throughout the event.

BZ troops!

During the month of June, we commemorate National Indigenous History Month. Indigenous Peoples have made invaluable contributions to the Canadian Armed Forces and, over the next few weeks, we’ll be amplifying some of their stories from past and present.



🇨🇦⚔️📷 Submitted by Sgt Starks,

Nous étions fiers que des membres autochtones du représentent l'Armée canadienne lors du 1st Annual Alumni & Student Pow Wow au St. Clair College à Windsor du 3 au 5 juin 2022. Le Cpl DJ White (à gauche) est un danseur traditionnel de la Première Nation de Walpole Island. Il est également membre actuellement en service de l'Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment. Le Sgt Ray Starks (au centre) est membre de la Première Nation M'Chigeeng sur l'île Manitoulin, et également un Essex Scot servant actuellement sous un autre commandement. Ils ont servi de porte-drapeaux pour les cérémonies et sont vus ici avec M. Wallace Williams de la Première Nation de Walpole Island. Le Cpl Smith a exécuté des danses traditionnelles tout au long de l'événement. Bravo les troupes !

Au cours du mois de juin, nous soulignons le Mois national de l’histoire Autochtone. La contribution des peuples autochtones aux Forces armées canadiennes est inestimable, et au cours des prochaines semaines, nous mettrons en valeur certains récits de militaires autochtones d’hier et d’aujourd’hui.



4th Canadian Division - 4e Division du Canada Armée canadienne Canadian Army Forces Jobs / Forces Emplois

06/06/2022

Testimonials like this really underscore how important these pilgrimage tours are to surviving family members of our Veterans. A lot of research has gone into this WWI tour. Well done all!
Cheers..Gary.

Gary,

It(the tour) was terrific . I was a bit apprehensive about how much extra value there would be over group tours… Absolutely worth it . Jon did an outstanding job of research etc , made the trip very personal .

My reason for this part of our trip was to honour the memory and lives of my grandfather Ronald Law, and his brother 2Lt Ralph Law MC. Both were part of the 19th Canadian battalion initially, and Ralph later was sent to officer school and became a tank commander in the British Army.

I hired Canadian Battlefield tours and through them a guide Jon Haslock, a British fellow who is very knowledgeable, and he did a lot of research on the specifics of the journeys of the 2 brothers. He was able to find quite detailed info and his guiding was 1st class.

One of the battles of the Somme was at Flers - Courcelette September 15-22, 1916. Tanks were used for the very first time ever at Courcelette. The 19th Canadian battalion was sent in to relieve another Canadian battalion that had advanced. Ronald was wounded badly by shrapnel on the 16th and had to be evacuated. After several months of recuperation he returned to Canada with a permanently fused knee. The medical records are quite grim reading.( we called him the “shot” grandpa).

Jon took us to a very specific spot (a winding track past a farmers barns and cows etc ). He told me that Ronnie had almost certainly been wounded within 100 feet of where we were standing, and would have been in the trenches (a defensive position). To my surprise, that was a huge relief to me, as I realized I had been forcing myself to not think of him wounded , lying in mud or a crater in “no man’s land” for hours or days. In a few minutes of looking, Jon found 4 shrapnel balls and said “ these are the shrapnel pieces that did not kill your grandpa”.

Ronald later attained a PHD in veterinary medicine, but suffered from his leg wound for the rest of his life. Later in life he developed bad lungs from being poison-gassed at Ypres earlier in the war.

So the story switches to Ralph: he went to officer school and joined the Tanks. Maybe seeing Ronald wounded, and then seeing the tanks were part of the reason he went to the tank corp.

I was given Ralph’s medals by Tom Wardlaw, and he told me that no one knew the story of Ralph’s experiences that led to award of a Military cross . I eventually found the citation for his medal , and then found a tank museum in Cambrai. I contacted Philippe Gorczynski at the tank museum by email - he replied immediately and said “ of course we know about Ralph- we have a photo of his tank B21 nicknamed “Bedouin” and a copy of his battle diary.”

The first large scale tank battle was Cambrai Nov 20-dec 6, 1917. Ralph was commander of Bedouin, and captured the Marcoing bridge and then helped the battle in Fontaine-Norte dame.

Jon was able to show me the route they took, the narrow streets of Fontaine , and a German gun machine gun emplacement that may have been the one that hit Bedouin and caused the radiator to leak, and the tank to stop, not quite making it back to the British line. 3 of the crew were killed. Part of Ralph’s citation includes, “although in a state of collapse he insisted in going back to his tank after darkness to bring back his wounded driver. He then found his tank in no man’s land and that his driver had died.” Jon took me to see the memorial inscription for Thomas Boucher, the driver.

Jon also introduced me to Philippe Gorczynski, who remembered our previous correspondence. We went to his Cambrai tank museum where Philippe generously gave me a signed copy of his out-of-print book “Following the tanks : Cambrai.”

Ralph had a long distinguished career as a teacher “Pop Law” at Upper Canada College in Toronto . My father told me that Ralph never got a drivers license , and despite being in Toronto in the early days when it was cold and snowy, he never had a winter coat . If it was really cold, he would wear 2 raincoats.

I remember meeting the 2 brothers at various times in Toronto when I was about 6 years old. It has been in the back of my mind for many years, and this has been an amazing experience. I have learned so much more about them and gained even more respect and appreciation for their sacrifices.

There were red poppies in bloom in many of the roadsides.

Thank you
Dr.Robin Love
Lantzville (Nanaimo), BC

**What a great story and family pilgrimage. Well done on your family research Robin Love and another great guiding and research job done by Jon Haslock.

31/05/2022

Fascinating post that takes me back to David Simpson, my 3x great grandfather, on my Quinn side, who fought in the War of 1812. He also fought in the Peninsular War in Martinique & Guadeloupe in 1809 & 1810. Here is the genealogy on my grandmother Martha (Quinn) McKay- Martha Quinn was the daughter of Charles Quinn and Nancy McAfee, who were married in 1887 at Ballyrashane Church of Ireland. Charles Quinn was the son of Edward Quinn and Lizzie Simpson of Drumadraw. Lizzie Simpson was the daughter of David Simpson and Sarah Kilpatrick who were married in 1824. David Simpson was born ca. 1780 and his wife, Sarah Kilpatrick was born ca. 1805 and died in 1849. Love this genealogy stuff. Cheers...Gary.

A depiction of the engagement between the American Navy frigate USS Chesapeake and the Royal Navy frigate H.M.S. Shannon on 1 June 1813 off the coast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The officers and crew of the Shannon, commanded by Captain Philip Broke, are shown boarding and capturing the Chesapeake during the War of 1812.

https://amzn.to/2zKEnQ4

22/05/2022

What a nice find. Cousin Cal was going through his mother's (my aunt Frankie) old photo album and found this photo. It is my Dad on the left standing with a mate by a 25 pounder field gun. Good find Cal & Susan.

18/05/2022

Leonard Cohen would be proud. Beautiful!

17/05/2022

What a sad day that was. She was just 33 yrs old.

Captain Jenn Casey was fearless.

She was dedicated to her work, serving as the Public Affairs Officer for the Snowbirds aerobatic team. Her last mission in 2020 was Operation Inspiration, a cross-country tour with one goal: making Canadians happy during a time of uncertainty.

On this day two years ago, she lost her life when a Snowbirds jet crashed in Kamloops, British Columbia.

She was loved by so many. We will never forget her.

http://ow.ly/INLH50IwxcX

12/05/2022

What an incredible young soldier/nurse.

Retired major and critical care nurse Annie Tétreault has served in a war zone.

Not once, but many times.

From 2004 to 2009, she served three tours in Afghanistan – first in Kabul, then in Kandahar.

“When I left the second time, I knew for a fact that we were going to lose people. I thought I might be one of them.”

After 21 years of dedicated service, she released from the military.

On , we celebrate people like Annie, who care for people at home and around the world.

http://ow.ly/1Sgz50IAYcR

📸: Annie Tétreault

10/05/2022

Gary,

Both Edwin and Jim were very good. Edwin was able to access the war diaries so we did a detailed tour of my fathers footsteps though the Netherlands in WWII. Jim was extremely knowledgeable about WW1 and described what our grandfather would have been participating in, at particular battles. Both were very accommodating and helpful.

Regards,

L. Wayne Smith, P.Geo.
Calgary AB, Canada

**Wayne and his large family did 2 Pilgrimage tours to follow in the footsteps of their Father in WWII and their grandfather in WWI.

10/05/2022

Tour was fantastic. Worth every penny. Jon is amazing. Extremely knowledgeable and easy going. We had an amazing tour. The customization of the tour with regards to my ancestors is an amazing touch. I would strongly recommend your company to anyone interested.

Blair Henderson
Winnipeg, MB, Canada

**Blair did a pilgrimage tour to follow in the footsteps of a distant relative who died in WW1- William Syme Henderson buried at Etaples. Died April 18, 1917

10/05/2022

Hi Gary,

Well France has come and gone already…I just wanted to let you know that we had 2 wonderful days with Genevra and Kim. They were both lovely to spend such long days with and their professionalism and knowledge was exceptional. Gen especially has such a vast knowledge base and is so passionate about all of it. While I know Kim is newer to guiding she gave us a wonderful day tailored to our Canadian interests.

We could not have enjoyed these 2 days more and are very grateful to you for making this kind of arrangement and guiding available to us. I will happily share your info with others who may want to experience this. I will plan to visit your website and include very positive reviews of all.

Thank You,
Andrea Boston
Claremont, Ontario

** Andrea and her son did a general interest tour of the main WWI sites.

10/05/2022

It's been a hectic few weeks with battlefield tours, but today is a bit quieter, so good chance to share with you what some guests have had to say about their tours over the last month. Cheers..Gary.
Hi Gary,
Both Ann & I were thrilled with the tour Jon provided us. He really is an expert when it comes to the knowledge he has amassed over the years. I tried to stump him for fun on some facts but he got the best of me every time. The weather was great and it was the icing on the cake. We would recommend your tours to anyone.
Thank you Gary & Jon.
Cheers,
Brian & Ann Hutchins
Tiny, Ontario
**Brian did a pilgrimage tour following the footsteps of his grandfather, Captain William Stephenson Goodeve MC #5 Dept. Unit Supply Army Corps Ammunition Park HQ

30/04/2022

Sad, sad day...Rest easy soldiers.

Four cadets at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont. set to graduate this spring have been killed in an incident involving a motor vehicle.

29/04/2022

Just came across this interesting statistic, relative to the number of DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal), MM (Military Medal) and MC (Military Cross) medals awarded to members of the CEF (Canadian Expeditionary Force) in WWI. Would be interesting to know what the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) numbers were;

Awarded to members of the C.E.F. during WW1.
255 D.C.M. and M.M.
42 D.C.M. and M.M. / BAR
5 D.C.M. and M.M. / 2 BARS
7 D.C.M. / BAR and M.M.
1 D.C.M. / BAR and M.M. / BAR
4 M.C., D.C.M. and M.M.
1 M.C., D.C.M. and M.M. / BAR

27/04/2022

It's great to be back in the saddle again. We kicked the Battlefield Tour season off April 11/12 with a 2 day WWI tour for this Ontario couple. We followed that, last week, with a 3 day Liberation of Holland Pilgrimage Tour, for a family of 5, from all over Canada and we ended up with a 4 day WWI Pilgrimage Tour, for a family of 4. This tour ended yesterday April 26 (Great Birthday present). We're going to be busy next week as well, with 4 tours going between now and May 5. If you would like to see and read what other people say about their tours with us, just click the link below. Here is the great testimonial we got from our first guests on their Apr. 11/12 tour.-

'Hi Gary,
Both Ann & I were thrilled with the tour Jon provided us. He really is an expert when it comes to the knowledge he has amassed over the years. I tried to stump him for fun on some facts but he got the best of me every time. The weather was great and it was the icing on the cake. We would recommend your tours too anyone.
Thank you Gary & Jon.

Cheers,

Brian & Ann Hutchings
Tiny, Ontario'
https://canadianbattlefieldtours.ca/testimonials-2018/

Hello Gary, Like many war veterans, my grandfather would never talk much about his war experiences. Now, my Grandfather passed away long ago and my father is getting old, the family has wanted to know more about what he went through. The only thing we’ve known is he was at Passchendaele and was gr...

09/04/2022

My great uncle Sgt. Ned Quinn, 83rd Bty. 11th Field Brigade went 'over the top' of Vimy Ridge on this day 105 yrs. ago. By the end of the war he had been awarded the DCM, MM, 1914 Star/Clasp (an Old Contemptible) & been mentioned 3 times in despatches.

Today, on Vimy Ridge Day, we remember the thousands of Canadians who fought and gave their lives in the Battle of Vimy Ridge (9-12 April 1917).

The capture of Vimy was a significant achievement, but it was more than just a battlefield victory. It was the first time all four Canadian divisions of the Canadian Corps attacked and fought together, through hellish conditions and unrelenting fire, and helped establish their reputation as the “shock army of the British Empire.”

But it was a victory that came at a terrible cost: 3,598 Canadians were killed, and another 7,000 wounded. Fifty years after the battle, Brigadier-General Alexander Ross reflected that on 9 April 1917 he “witnessed the birth of a nation.”

Today an iconic memorial atop the ridge honours the Canadians killed in France throughout the war who have no known graves — a venerated symbol of the birth of Canadian national pride and awareness.

02/04/2022

We are almost back to pre-pandemic days in terms of being busy. Just booked 4 tours over the last 2 days.Life is good.
https://canadianbattlefieldtours.ca/

Canadian Battlefield Tours is a Battlefield Tour Company, specializing in the Canadian actions in WW1 and the Canadian and British actions in WW2. Our aim is to provide to you with a very unique experience while in Europe. If you were in the Canadian Military, have friends or family that have served...

31/03/2022

This post illustrates my belief that the expertise exists in Canada, to identify the children of the Residential School Program, buried throughout Canada.

The remains of First World War Canadian soldier Sergeant Richard Musgrave have been identified.

30/03/2022

Have a look at the CWGC site. https://www.cwgc.org/who-we-are/

Who We Are | CWGC

30/03/2022

It's a continual drip. We continue to find more graves of indigenous school children of the Residential School Program. I can tell you that nothing Canada has ever done has bothered me more, or angered me at those responsible- Governments, The Catholic Church, the RCMP and who knows how many others. Now the question arises; How can we hold those responsible for this travesty accountable. The easy answer is money- it's always money. But that doesn't cut it for me. There has to be a more complete and fulsome response to this. But what? First, I'm suggesting that we move heaven and earth to identify all those poor victims. Canada has a first-rate, premier department, that I believe can do the job. I have crossed paths a few times, while on battlefield tours and even become friends with a few forensic pathologists. Have a quick look at their website. Of critical importance is the hands-on relationship they have with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Of course, the CWGC is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of thousands of cemeteries around the world. There is simply no words to describe how efficient they are at their job. Canada should create a similar type organization to create and maintain similar type cemeteries at all the sites of the residential school gravesites. I will post the CWGC website in my next post.

The Casualty Identification Program identifies newly discovered remains of Canadian servicemen from past wars.

28/03/2022

Everyone should visit a CWGC Cemetery. The calm and the peace; the sheer beauty, will never be forgot by anybody who visits. They always end up being a highlight of our battlefield tours, and quite often they are the primary highlight of a battlefield tour. Why don't you join us for a tour and see for yourself. Lots of good dates to choose from, but they are going fast. There is unusually high interest in Battlefield Tours this year. Cheers..Gary.

Good afternoon from Kandy War Cemetery in Sri Lanka.

There is 1 Commonwealth burial of the First World War and a further 196 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War commemorated here.

25/03/2022

Sounds like a very interesting book. Looking forward to reading it.

I am pleased to announce the release of my new book, Our Fathers’ Footsteps on Amazon!
Go to your country’s site below and search for my book to order your very own copy today.

Amazon.ca. Note: When ordering from Canada click on the “four new from 26.01” to preorder.
🇺🇸: Amazon.com
🇬🇧: Amazon.co.uk
🇫🇷: Amazon.fr
The book is also available in bookstores in Edmonton and Winnipeg at :
- Audrey’s Books or Daisy Chain Books in Edmonton
- The bookstore on Perron in St. Albert
- McNally Robinson in Winnipeg

Current Amazon.ca ranking
#74 in Normandy in World War II
#74 in World War II in Normandy
#135 in 20th Century Canadian History

Our Fathers' Footsteps is about four average men among the millions of people who volunteered to serve their countries during World War II. These men had one thing in common. They all landed on Normandy's beaches on June 6, 1944. Using family history books, letters, telegrams, journals, and Regimental War Diaries, Don Levers tells the stories of these four ordinary men who were caught in the extraordinary circumstances of a World at War and survived their "What If" moments.

These stories may not be about your father, but they are the stories of men like your fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers.

Want to learn more about the book, see the book trailer we produced or a list of the endorsements the book has received Visit: donleversbooks.com.

25/03/2022

Rest easy soldier.

We are saddened to announce the passing of MWO John Moreno, a pillar of the Intelligence Branch and the Canadian Intelligence Corps. John’s valiant fight with cancer ended on the 22nd of March 2022.

Throughout his career, John made a positive transformation in the lives of the soldiers under his leadership and tutelage. Initially joining as an Infantryman with the Royal Canadian Regiment, he subsequently joined the Intelligence Branch in 1998. Throughout John’s long career he had the opportunity to positively influence and mentor Intelligence Operators and Officers alike, principally at the Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre, the Canadian Forces School of Military Intelligence, and in his last assignment as a Company Sergeant Major with 14 Military Intelligence Company. John retired in 2021 after 35 years of loyal service.

John is survived by his wife, Deborah, and sons, Erik and John Carlos.
--
C’est avec le cœur lourd que nous vous informons du décès de l’Adjum John Moreno. Il était un pilier de la Branche du renseignement et du Corps du renseignement canadien. Son vaillant combat contre le cancer a pris fin le 22 Mars 2022.

John a eu un impact transformationnel dans la vie des soldats qui ont servis sous son leadership. Enrôlé initialement en tant que fantassin avec le Royal Canadian Régiment, il se joint à la Branche du renseignement en 1998. Tout au long de sa carrière militaire, il a exercé une influence positive et a bien encadré les opérateurs et les officiers du renseignement, principalement au Centre d’imagerie interarmées des forces canadiennes, à l’École du renseignement militaire des forces canadiennes, et en tant que Sergent-Major de Compagnie avec la 14e Compagnie de renseignement militaire. John a pris sa retraite en 2021 après 35 ans de loyaux services.

John laisse dans le deuil son épouse, Deborah, et ses fils, Erik et John Carlos.

09/03/2022

Fitting for International Women's day, that we look back at some incredible warriors who gave their lives in the service of their country. Cheers..Gary.

Thank you for your service
May you Reast In Peace.

09/03/2022

Can't get more gut-wrenching & sadder than this. Happened 10 yrs. ago.

The saddest most heart wrenching story we have ever posted!

We have posted about our heroes that were lost in war and we have posted stories about the little known military heroes lost during intensive training but this has to be the saddest most heart wrenching story we ever posted because of the two beautiful girls that were also lost in this tragedy.

CW2 Edward Cantrell
A decorated U.S. soldier died along with his two young daughters as he attempted to rescue the girls from their burning North Carolina home, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said.

Chief Warrant Officer II Edward Duane Cantrell, 36, was a member of the 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg.

The Green Beret had returned in August from his latest overseas deployment, said Lt. Col. April Olsen, spokeswoman for U.S. Army Services Command at Fort Bragg.

His wife, Louise, told officials the family was upstairs when the fire broke out just before 2 a.m. Tuesday in Hope Mills, a suburb of Fayetteville.

She jumped from a second-floor window and ran next door to call for help while her husband went to get their daughters, ages, 4 and 6, said Debbie Tanna, spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office.

“They never made it out,” Tanna said.

Local media reports say Cantrell and his two young daughters, Natalia and Isabella, died from smoke inhalation.

Louise Cantrell was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, Tanna told a reporter.

Officials believe the family’s century-old home had tinderbox conditions that led to “a very intense fire.”

Military officials said the Fort Bragg soldier had completed six deployments, including one to Iraq and five to Afghanistan.

He had four Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart for his service, according to the Army Special Operations Command.

“There are no words to express the sorrow felt in our close-knit community when one of our families suffers such a loss,” Olsen said.

02/03/2022

Not only did Ted Knight have a stellar military service record, he was also one of the greatest comedy actors ever. He certainly was one of my favorites. I never missed an episode of Mary Tyler Moore, primarily because of him. And who could forget his role as the judge in Caddy Shack. Brilliant. Sadly, he died much too young of Colon Cancer, aged 62.

God Bless this WWII war hero!
WWII decorated Army Vet Tadeusz Wladyslaw Konopka dropped out of high school to enlist for military service in World War II. He was a member of A Company, 296th Combat Engineer Battalion.
In 1945, he was with the first American troops which entered Berlin. and was issued five Battle Stars on his campaign bar for his services during the war. After the war he had developed an interest in acting, deciding to pursue it as a career option after his release. He later changed his name to Ted Knight.

The Giant Killer book & page honors these heroes. The Giant Killer book details the incredible life of the smallest soldier, Green Beret Captain Richard Flaherty along with the harrowing stories from the men of the 101st Airborne in Vietnam. The Giant Killer FB page honors these incredible war heroes making sure their stories of valor and sacrifice are never forgotten. God Bless our Vets! Available now on Amazon & Walmart.

23/02/2022

More interesting military history.

On National Aviation Day, we salute trailblazers like Jaye Edwards!

As a civilian pilot during the Second World War, her job was to deliver planes for the Royal Air Force. She flew 20 different types of aircraft – from bombers and supply planes to the legendary Spitfire fighters.

Listen to her story:
http://ow.ly/slkn50HpTyo

22/02/2022

Well, here he is. My Man Rex. Listening to this is 5 minutes & 46 seconds well spent. On a separate matter, where in the hell have the conservatives been throughout this protest? In the secret closed meeting, did they agree to implement the Emergencies Act? Just wondering.

21/02/2022

Getting a lot of tour requests over the last few weeks. I just booked another tour today. I'm expecting that interest will pick up even more as people are making up for the 2 year abstinence of battlefield tours. I'd suggest that anyone interested in a tour, should really book as soon as possible to make sure that dates and guides are available.
https://canadianbattlefieldtours.ca/

Canadian Battlefield Tours is a Battlefield Tour Company, specializing in the Canadian actions in WW1 and the Canadian and British actions in WW2. Our aim is to provide to you with a very unique experience while in Europe. If you were in the Canadian Military, have friends or family that have served...