Testimonials

The Somme & Ypres Tour Group of June 2012

 

Testimonials From our Armistice Tour 2012

A big thank you to Allison and Tony for making a good weekend even better. Remarkable, unforgettable and emotional as well as educational.  Just some of the words to explain the 2012 Ypres Armistice Tour.

You’re both smashing people.

George, London

Hi Tony and Allison. Roisín and Mairéad and I would like to thank you both, most sincerely, for the unforgettable experience which was our WW1 Battlefields tour.  It was most kind of you to collect us from the airport and drive us to our hotel. Tony, your knowledge of events and locations involved was inspirational.  Your obvious enthusiasm was infectious and you were able to stimulate our minds and hearts to participate in this wonderful experience. Alison, your attention to detail and to ensuring the comfort of the group added so much to the enjoyment of the tour - and this was not just the coffee, tea, whiskey and brandy - and the chocolate biscuits!  Your insistence that comfort breaks were essential was much appreciated!  

Roisín and Mairéad would like to say a special thank you for the respect shown to their grandfather by Rifleman Tours and the group as a whole. What a great group they were!  We really enjoyed their company. We will always remember this tour - the pomp and ceremony of the Armistice celebrations, the emotion and poignancy of the wreath-laying in Kemmel Chateau and the warmth and comradeship of the group as a whole. 

Once again, thank you for a truly wonderful experience.

Kevin and Roisín, Southern Ireland

Hi Tony and Allison, Just a note to thank you both for a most enjoyable few days. The trip was both enjoyable and informative. The informality (especially the little nips) added greatly to the overall ambience. Stanley asked me to send his regards,

Best regards, Ken, Belfast

Hello Tony and Allison,
Just wanted to send you my own word of thanks, as well as Kevin and Roisin's, for a memorable and poignant tour of the WW1 Battlefields last weekend.
I was deeply touched that you used the term "pilgrimage" when you introduced us to each other on the bus.  That's what it was for us, so much more than a journey or a tour, culminating in a most emotional wreath-laying at our grand-father's grave supported so respectfully by you both and our companions.
Your incredible knowledge of the battles on Flanders fields made me feel that they had happened only recently instead of nearly 100 years ago.
We had a wonderful time at the concert on Sunday and attended the Last Post ceremony every evening.
The hotel was very comfortable and breakfast plentiful and enjoyable.  We also had the most delicious dinners in different restaurants each evening.
Once again, your deep knowledge of WW1 contributed to the group's understanding of the cataclysmic events of the time and your profound final summation and exhultation in Poperinghe Cemetery to "remember them" will not easily be forgotten.
Thank you both and until the next time....
With kindest regards,
Mairead O'Halloran, Belfast

Dear Tony and Allison 

Many thanks for a great trip.  You both went the extra mile for us all. Your grasp of that whole situation made it more clear just what had gone on.  I am very glad I made the trip so many thanks again and best of luck with future tours.

Regards Stanley, Belfast

 

Testimonial From Royal Canadian Navy - Second Normandy Tour of 2012

I must also commend them [Rifleman tours] on the dedication and passion to your trade, everything is considered  from detailed knowledge at individual sites to the laying of a wreath at the Canadian Cemetery. It was a truly emotional journey. Again we express our most heartfelt thanks for a job well done, I’m sure there will be some that will take there memories with them for years to come and others that feel a sense of belonging to Canada as did the French resistance fighter with his Canadian family of soldiers.

Sincerely

Raymond Clinkard, SEMC(CF) RCN  Click to view RCN Letter

 

Testimonial From Royal Green Jackets Association (Milton Keynes Branch) - Normandy Tour

Dear Tony and Allison.

Following our recent tour of Normandy and the D-Day beaches with Rifleman Tours, we all want to thank you both for accommodating our needs so well. As members of the Royal Green Jackets Association (Milton Keynes Branch), the Normandy area holds particular relevance to us and you tailored the tour to include specific areas of interest, including laying wreaths at the bust of Major John Howard, on the original Pegasus Bridge and at the grave of Lt Den Brotheridge in Ranville.

Your knowledge of the area is second to none and both members and their partners came away with a deeper insight of those first hours of D-Day.

Kindest regards.

Gary Brewer, Branch Secretary   Click to view RGJA Letter

 

Testimonials From Somme Tour, July 2012

Dear Tony & Allison, We wanted to thank you both once again for the most fantastic weekend. We enjoyed every minute of the tour and have a much better understanding of the Somme thanks to Iain your guide and also yourself Tony.  I was so very pleased to be able to lay a wreath at my great uncles grave, although I didn’t know him I found the whole experience very moving, especially when you did the exultation.  Ian your driver was great fun and it was nice he joined in with everything and came around all the sites with us. And Allison, always there with a lovely smile and her goody basket and tea and coffee. You really did take care of us all. We would like to wish you all the very best for the future, with love and thanks.

Bob and Liz Richards, Devon

 

Tony/Allison, I can't thank you both enough for the time and effort you both made to make my trip extremely good and, yes, it was emotional when I visited the spot where my Grandfather lost his life, I have been trying many times to find that place and you found it for me, I shall never forget it and the effort, you, Tony took to find it for me along with Iain.  Iain... what can I say what a remarkable, knowledgeable man he is and an asset to Rifleman Tours and it was a pleasure to be in his company. The group was very good and I think very easy to get on with. Ian the driver again an asset, he really put himself out.  Once again, Tony/Allison thank you so much for an absolutely brilliant trip, certainly THE BEST I have been on to the Somme and other WW1 tours

Russell Davies, Blackburn Lancashire

Dear Tony and Allison, Thank you for a marvellous four days.  It was a good choice of Hotel, the breakfast was good, room comfortable and the Staff friendly.  Iain was a knowledgeable and passionate guide and I admire his enthusiasm for La Boiselle.  The driver took us safely and comfortably where we had to go, so all in all a lovely weekend. I will see you both again sometime.

Marie, New Bradwell, Buckinghamshire

 

Testimonials From Somme and Ypres Tour, June 2012

Dear Tony and Allison, Just to say a heartfelt thank you for a very special tour with a great bunch of people and a brilliant Guide and assistant (Allison). The personal touch by both you and Allison was much appreciated, especially the visit to Nine Elms Cemetery to lay a wreath at my Grandfather’s Grave and also the priviledge of laying another wreath at The Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony. The accommodation, the driver, and all the other little extras (tea, coffee, cakes, brandy etc) all were first class and appreciated. To anyone thinking of going on a Battlefield Tour we would highly recommend Rifleman Tours. Thanks once again for a brilliant tour.

Regards Dave and Maureen Satchell, Market Harborough

Dear Tony and Ali, Bob and I felt we must drop you a quick email to thank you both so much for our trip to The World War 1 Battlefields last weekend. We found the whole experience most enjoyable and informative. Bob had some comprehension from reading books, but Tony your enthusiasm and knowledge for the subject was most impressive. The Hotel in Ypres was perfect and your hospitality outstanding. It was more like a family outing than an organized tour, and this is what made the whole experience so special. Good luck to you both................you could very well be taking us to Normandy in the future!!

Kind Regards

Pam and Bob

I greatly enjoyed the Ypres and Somme Tour in June 2012. Tony Eden is very knowledgeable about The Western Front and conveyed his enthusiasm for the subject. His discourses at the battle sites gave us all the necessary historical facts but also included personal stories which made the subject come alive. Tony is no dry historian; his empathy with the soldiers was plain to see. All the practical arrangements of the tour were managed faultlessly and Allison Eden was a delightful hostess, ensuring that we were well cared for. I can thoroughly recommend Rifleman Tours.  

From Jeff Burgess, Leamington Spa

Dear Tony and Alison, we just had to say thank you for an incredible trip to Ypres and the Somme. The whole tour was so well organised and Tony is able to explain things with such passion and knowledge. We look forward to joining you on a tour of Normandy next year. Once again many thanks.

Alan and Sheila, Norfolk

Dear Tony,

Just a brief mail to thank you and your team for an extremely enjoyable trip last weekend.I can speak for all 4 of us when I say that it more than exceeded our expectations.Your enthusiasm, perhaps even passion, for the subject was evident throughout and the overall level of hospitality was admirable. Choice of itinerary and what we saw was just right. Thanks once again and good luck with the business

Peter and Fran Hole

PS. I was disappointed that my brother could not come up with a question that stumped you!

Dear Tony & Allison
Thanks for your email with the attachments.
I got home late on Monday night but it wasn't until Tuesday morning when my wife asked me about the trip that I realised how emotional it was. I found it difficult to describe how moving the experience had been and couldn't describe adequately the sheer enormity of the sacrifice.
Thank you for a memorable, informative and very interesting trip. Your detailed knowledge helped me to understand and appreciate the scale of the events in those awful four years more than reading any number of books could do.
Andrew Howard, West Yorkshire

Dear Tony and Alison
I would like to thank you most sincerely for a wonderful and interesting tour. The travel arrangements and accommodation was excellent and every detail was attended to so that the whole trip was extremely enjoyable. I found Tony so well informed and so knowledgeable that he truly brought the First World War to life so that we could imagine what the lives of the soldiers were like even though we passed through such beautiful countryside.
I can't thank you enough for the whole experience and I would recommend Rifleman Tours for anyone thinking of seeing the Battlefields.
Regards
Marian, South Africa

 

Testimonial From Private Tour of Arnhem, May 2012

Another great tour and this time one that was very personal to me.  Seeing where my Father jumped into Arnhem with the Polish Brigade brought a lump to my throat.  Thank you Tony once again for very special tour.

John Kraft, Newport Pagnell

I think I speak for everybody on the tour when I say that it was an experience that will stay with us forever.  Many thanks Rifleman Tours

David Jannik, Birmingham

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for this very moving tour.  Your ability to describe the action that took place and inject both compassion and humour is priceless.  I look forward to another tour with you and your excellent team.

Simon Richards, Milton Keynes

 

Testimonials From Royal Canadian Navy Tour of Normandy, March 2012

 

Testimonials From Ypres Tour including Fromelles, October 2011

Testimonials From Somme and Ypres Tour, June 2011

"Thank you for a wonderful experience.  I learned about WW1 at school, however the tour brought it to life.  It was an emotional and enlightening experience, especially laying the wreath for Rifleman Tours at the Menin Gate.  Tony had thought of everything; we were very well looked after and Peter, our guide, was terrific.  We will definitely taken another tour in the future." 
Eileen, Kent

An incredibly moving, emotional and yet  enjoyable trip. A real privilege to walk amongst the graves of so many brave men. To see a relative, Lt Q D Bell on the Menin Gate. A totally unforgettable experience made all the more intimate and special by Rifleman Tours.
Sarah McNaughton, Suffolk

 

Testimonial From Private Tour of Normandy, March 2011

 

Testimonials From Somme and Ypres Tour, October 2010

What sort of person goes on a battlefield tour? There can be many reasons, from a pure history aspect, to visit an area a relative died, or like me to find out more.
To be frank, I knew very little about the First World War but I was eager to learn.
Rifleman Tours was the perfect vehicle for that experience. Our small group contained a varied mix of people all with one thing in common to learn more; we weren’t disappointed.
Based in the town of Ypres we were in the centre of the historical action covering many areas in the Ypres salient our guide would take us through those events with knowledge understanding and personal stories.
A trip further afield to the well known battle area of The Somme was also an inspiration. The Lochnagar Crater just took my breath away, to walk up the Sunken Lane which had been seen on Geoffrey Malins’ film of the 1st Lancs Fusiliers waiting to go into action on that fateful July day in 1916, was quite moving.
The coverage was comprehensive but there was always time to stop take it all in take photos and question a very approachable guide.
Rifleman Tours made sure everyone was part of the historical adventure and for me it was all over far too quickly and I have now bought some books relating to the First World War so that my knowledge gathering can continue.
Rifleman Tours should be your first choice.
Adie Bond, Surrey

‘Thank you for the wonderful time we had on our Rifleman Tour, a first class experience from start to finish. It was a very well organised trip with fantastic hotel, meals, leaders and a very knowledgeable guide.
We thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this trip and will be recommending it to others.
We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!’
Helen and Steve, Bedfordshire

‘Thank you both for a fantastic weekend of history, facts figures, mud and good company; some of the nicest people I have ever travelled with.
Look forward to the next tour!’
George, London

‘The tour guide was wonderful; I especially liked that he was willing to do further investigations for us that went beyond my expectations.
If ever I am back in Europe, I will definitely want to do a tour with you again.
Thank you for being so kind and helpful’
Annessa, USA

'We feel we had to write and commend you on the first class tour.
The group size was perfect and the guide was excellent and had an incredible recall of facts, figures and dates backed up with interesting visual materials - the Lee Enfield Rifle took us back in time to those poor soldiers at Gheluvelt.
We particularly liked Tyne Cot and the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. The fact that you and a member of our party took part in this nightly ritual made it all the more special.
Thank you Tony and Allison for a most wonderful time and we hope to accompany you again in the future'
Geoff and Jackie, Bucks

'An excellent well organised tour, visiting a variety of sites of interest to the World War One enthusiast and beginner alike. The experienced, specialist tour guide who accompanied us added considerably to the enjoyment of the tour with his detailed knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject.
I would thoroughly recommend Rifleman Tours to anyone interested in touring the Battlefields.'
Judith and Andy, Wirral