Ieper / Ypres 2015

[zacmarshall]

Folks

I organised a trip to Ieper back in 2009 which people seemed to enjoy.

My grandfather went into the front line somewhere near Ieper on the 20th April 1915 and was wounded sometime before or during July. My father was born on the 29th July and they gave him the middle name of Ypres to celebrate that he still had a father.

I would like to revisit the area 100 years after he was there, so will be organising another trip in 2015. Dates tba.

Some photos from the last trip (from Colin Mayes)





The link to some discussion about the 2009 event.
http://www.joc.org.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=6637

If you are interested in attending please email me at zac@jensenff.org or reply here.

Both myself and Jan Devine had tried to find more information about my grandfathers' service (Jan was visiting the public records office anyway). We didn't find anything other than some medal records available through the web, I spoke to Chris Baker at http://www.fourteeneighteen.co.uk/ who managed to find some more medal records that I wasn't aware of. Unfortunately we believe his service record was destroyed in bombing in WW2, Chris charged a reduced rate as they couldn't find much more although did give me some useful information about where his regiment (1/9th DLI) was in the area. For anyone interested in their family's WW1 history I can recommend him.

Zac Marshall

[colin7673]

Hi Zac,

Both Diane and I would be interested in this trip but will depend on when...

[VFK44]

they gave him the middle name of Ypres

Amazing story.

My son is called Harry, after my Dad. After his death I found out he had an uncle called Harry who died in the 1914-18 conflict - as Dad was born in 1920 it looks like he was named after him. Funny how names carry such history through the generations.

[Martin R]

I might be interested subject to dates

[Darren]

Very interested, we didnt get to see it all last time, but again it depends on dates Zac

[Mark Wright]

Hi Zac
Maria & I may be intrested, speak to you at the Spring Weekend (presume you are going!)

cheers

Mark

[zacmarshall]

Hi Zac
Maria & I may be intrested, speak to you at the Spring Weekend (presume you are going!)

cheers

Mark

I will be there, will probably get there about 9pm Friday night, maybe later depending on the motorways.

[zacmarshall]

For anyone interested in going to Ieper (Ypres) in May 2015 then have a word with me on Friday or Sunday of the NEC show this weekend.

There are a few options to think about....

Looks like I will be going twice, taking the opportunity to retrace my Grandfathers steps of 100 years earlier

I just wish that the Germans could have stopped shelling for long enough for them to write up the war diary with a type writer, for some reason the handwriting is a little unsteady

[Trevithick]

Dates depending I'm game.

[zacmarshall]

Proposed date is the weekend of Friday 22nd May 2015, this is the end of May bank holiday weekend to make it easier for those who work or have children (half term is the week following).

We will be using the Novotel in the centre of Ieper which is in a fantastic location and has secure underground parking (chargable).
I won't know definite prices until the end of January but it is likely to cost between 90 and 100 GBP a night per room. The last time we had two hotels quite a distance out of town, the Novotel will be big enough to take the expected numbers and then some and is handy for walking to the Menem gate and the pubs / restaurants in the centre of Ieper. Shaun Winfield and myself stayed there on our way back from the Dutch trip a year or so ago.

Eurotunnel for that weekend is currently quoting 99 GBP return.

I will be on the JOC stand all day Friday and around on the Sunday if anyone wants to have a chat.

[shaun]

Zac,

I would be up for the trip.

That was the hotel which had a Citeron Traction Avante parked in the underground car park.

May actually not need to work the weekend of 22 May 2015!

[zacmarshall]

That was the hotel which had a Citeron Traction Avante parked in the underground car park.

And a long wheel base one at that - so the car park shouldn't be an issue for Jensens

[David Devine]

Hi Zac

Please put me & Jan down , really enjoyed the last one.

[Darren]

Those dates work for us Zac, put me down for the family.

cheers Darren

[colin7673]

Zac,

Friday 22nd May 2015

this date is correct?