Itinerary
Sunday, May 2ndThe program begins on Sunday, May 2nd in St. John's. You will have a chance to meet and talk with your traveling companions, and to get to know host Kevin Major, who will discuss the overview of historical events of Newfoundland in World War I.
Monday, May 3rd
You will tour the Provincial Archives at the Rooms, where each member of the group will choose a member of the Newfoundland Regiment (perhaps a relative) to research. This will help add a personal aspect to the journey as you follow your chosen soldier's path, and perhaps visit his final resting place during the tour.
You will also tour the Newfoundland Regiment Museum in Pleasantville, NL to gain a perspective on the contributions made by those who served.
The day includes a walk through historic St. John's where many of the Regiment once lived. We will end the day with a reception at the Crow's Nest, a local club with a venerable reputation and hundreds of military artifacts.
You will visit the Memorial University archives to view photographs, diaries, and letters of nurse Frances Cluett. Mr. Major will offer additional information.
After a briefing from Memorial's study abroad coordinator, Chris Hibbs, the group will take an evening flight from St. John's enroute to London.
| Flight Schedule | ||||||
| Depart |
Time |
Flight |
Arrival |
|||
| 4 May |
8:35 p.m. |
St. John's - Halifax - London |
4 May 9:35 a.m. |
|||
| 16 May |
10:05 a.m. | London - Halifax - St. John's |
16 May 6:40 p.m. |
|||
Wednesday, May 5th
You will arrive at Heathrow Airport, London, in the morning, and travel to the Harlow Campus about an hour away by bus.
After a rest, Kevin Major will offer a presentation on the Newfoundland Regiment in England and various WWI poets.
Thursday, May 6th
A coach trip will take you to visit war poet Edward Blunden's burial site in Long Melford. We will continue on a walking tour in Cambridge to learn about war poet Rupert Brooke and where he spent much of his time. Finally, we will get a chance to hear the Choir of King's College, Cambridge.
Friday, May 7th
In the morning, you will visit the vast Brookwood Military Cemetery just outside London, where several Regiment soldiers are buried. Then the group will spend the afternoon at the Imperial War Museum, London, taking in its 'trench experience'.
Saturday, May 8th - Free Day
This will be a day open to share experiences, and to venture into London or Cambridge to explore on your own.
Sunday, May 9th
Skylark
Battlefield Tours will provide a 7-day guided excursion in
France and Belgium (through May 15th). Departure will be early on
Sunday (approximately 6 a.m.).
***Note: below is the sample
itinerary - the exact details may change to best accommodate the
group logistically and financially.***
After ferrying to Calais, you will proceed to the Somme battlefields for an introduction and stop in the village of Louvencourt (the regiment's rest area) before proceeding to the hotel in Arras.
Monday, May 10th
This day is devoted entirely to tracing the attack on Beaumont Hamel on July 1, 1916, and to exploring the Newfoundland Regiment's contribution to 29th Division.
Tuesday, May 11th
You will encounter war poetry along the Somme front line and the Newfoundlanders at Guedecourt and Monchy.
Wednesday, May 12th
You will visit the site of the Battle of Cambrai and the Newfoundlanders at Masniéres, and then continuing on to the grave of Wilfred Owen at Ors.
Thursday, May 13th - Free Day
You will have a free to day yourselves to explore Amiens or Arras
Friday, May 14th
Visits to Vimy Ridge and then you will travel to to Ypres in Belgium to attend the Menin Gate Ceremony for a wreath laying and more.
Saturday, May 15th
Visit to the Courtrai memorial and then travel to the channel ports. Arrive near Heathrow in the early evening where you will overnight at a local hotel.
Sunday, May 16th
You will fly back to Canada via Heathrow Airport arriving in St. John's in the early evening.