This is rathcoole somme societies third pilgrimage to the somme and ypres battlefields.  We are following in the footseps of our fallen heroes of the 36th ulster division and the fallen of world war one.  This pilgrimage will focus on the battle of the somme in the southern sector of the british lines and looking at the gains by the british army on day one.  we will also visit a british military cemetery that has mostly 36th ulster division men and visit a restored british frontline trench around the ypres area.

 

The somme society will depart from rathcoole to belgium.  We should be in ypres around 2230 hours.

 

 

we will start the pilgrimage by visiting the famous ulster tower and will hold a memorial service to the fallen men of the 36th ulster division.  We will then depart to deville wood, a memorial wood of the south african battalions, stopping at the piper's memorial.  we will then depart to guillemount to see the 16th irish memorial cross before heading into albert for lunch and a visit to the museum.  after lunch we will visit dartmoor military cemetery and fricourt british and german cemeteries.  day one pilgrimage will end with a visit to pozieres british cemetery and the memorial to the missing, then onto ypres.

 

 

the tour will start by departing to the vimy ridge and the tour of the underground.  the tour will last for around 1 hour 15 mintues, after the tour we will visit the canadian memorial.  we will depart to gwailia cemetery to pay homage to private george forrester then departs to spankbrokenmolen military cemetery.  the day will end with a visit to yorkshire trench, this will of course be down to time permitting.

 

 

the day will be a rest day for the society allowing people to shop for presents and relax.

 

 

we will depart from ypres and travel back to rathcoole.