Derek, John, Mike and Mick at Pointe du Hoc, Normandy.
Our latest trip to Normandy proved to be both emotional and informative. Frank delivered an evocative, personal description of the D–Day landing at Omaha Beach where my father was a Royal Navy coxwain on a Landing Craft Assault (LCA) taking US Rangers into the hell that awaited them. This was a discovery for me, very emotional to find out that the courage displayed by those men was also being dispayed by my father. The opening sequence of ‘Saving Private Ryan’ holds even more significance for me now.
Frank’s detailed research, including a vivid written account (which I read to my colleagues, on the very beach position of the landing) brought the event to life in a way I could not have expected. This is typical of the tours that Frank has led where I have been a client. He really does bring his considerable knowledge and enthusiasm to the tour. Our tour also visited the site at Brecourt Manor (brought to life in the series, ‘Band of Brothers’) where Capt. Winters leads his Easy Company Paratroopers of the 101st division to clear the guns (shelling Utah Beach) in what is now considered the textbook action of this type.
Thoughtfully, Frank had arranged for us to watch the action on screen before visiting the actual bocage hedgerow and open field that was the site of this remarkable action. A thoughtful way for us all to experience this part of our tour and I think this demonstrates why Frank is such an excellent battlefield guide… everything organised properly, from the trip there to the bar afterwards, terrific.
We are going to Arnhem next year in 2012 with Frank and I expect his research and knowledge will bring Market Garden to life for us as we all try to understand this important part of our national and personal history. I can’t recommend Frank Toogood highly enough. An outstanding tour. Thanks Frank.
Derek R Price
Cressing, Braintree
Frank Toogood is a superb battlefield guide. I recently was in Brussels on business and able to devote one day to a quick overview of Waterloo.
I met Frank at 9 am and from then on through 5:30 pm he walked me through a clear and compelling description of the strategic, tactical and human highlights of the battle. He was thoroughly prepared and handled all of my questions with insight, humour and perspective.
Two or three days certainly would have been better, but no matter how much time you may have available, I can’t imagine a more able companion to help you understand what happened at Waterloo.
William Oliver
Senior Vice Presiden, AT&T
New Jersey, USA
…I have to say it Frank! …your trip for us to the Normandy D–Day Invasion area was top notch.
As usual your depth of knowledge and attention to detail made listening a pleasure. Putting a personal context to the invasion through the Essex Yeomanry brought the event to life and made the personal sacrifices made by our families and countrymen all the more compelling. This year it was the British and Commonwealth story, next year? Well, we are looking forward to the American story, Omaha, Utah and the breakout… October 2011.
Thanks, I’m sure the others on our tour will join me in saying “Well Done”, another tough mission delivered.
Derek R Price
Cressing, Braintree
Wanted to drop you a line to thank you properly for the remarkable trip last weekend – ‘Following in the footsteps of Pte AC Wood’.
I didn’t think you would be able to surpass the quality of experience you delivered at our Waterloo visit in February. However, if I was forced to make a choice I would have to say that the tour you constructed for us to Ypres and the Somme was even better!
The detailed picture you were able to paint of those terrible events was extraordinary and has provided me with a much more rounded perspective of the key events and the people that lived and died through them.
What really set this tour apart however, was the way in which you brought those momentous events to life by recounting them through the eyes of one man – my Grandad. The facts you were able to tell me about what he had done and where he had been meant a great deal and I know was only made possible by exhaustive research on your part. To have stood on the spot where he and his mates left their trench and went ‘over the top’ was remarkable enough but to do that whilst getting a small sense of their experience courtesy of the tin hat and Lee Enfield rifle you provided will stay with me for years to come.
We had lots of laughs – but the gravity and respect demanded by the events we followed was never lost as evidenced by the laying of a wreath at the memorial to my Grandfather’s battalion – I thought you created that sense of appropriate balance flawlessly.
As I stated in the opening paragraph ‘following in the footsteps of Pte AC Wood’ was a remarkable event… You did the memory of my Grandfather (and all his mates) proud – from both me and my Dad many many thanks.
Looking forward to Normandy 2010 already!!
John Wood
Black Notely, Braintree
What a wonderful weekend!… Frank, your attention to detail on our tour was a revelation… Our time on the western front really brought the sacrifice and bravery of those that served in the armed forces to life… visiting the German memorial proved to be a sobering counterpoint, reminding us that wars kill both sides… very skillful… your knowledge and clear briefings meant that we were well informed but not overloaded with facts beyond our comprehension, making understanding the battlefields and strategies easier… the visits to the memorials were timed perfectly and those personal graveyards were made all the more relevant to us thanks to your research and patience… your use of actual places and props made the personal pilgrimage interesting and ultimately immensely informative… thank you again for a very well conceived and executed tour plan… perfect.
I’m looking forward to the next one.
Derek Price
Cressing, Braintree
Frank thank you for a great tour of the First World War battlefields on October 9/10, with the passing of our last two remaining veterans this year it made the tour even more poignant.
Our visit to the museum at Passchendaele gave me an insight into the living conditions that troops had to endure during those four horrific years in the trenches. Although I must admit the Passchendaele pie at the local restaurant opposite the museum entrance is something I would highly recommend to anybody going on future trips with you to try.
Visiting the British, British Commonwealth and German cemeteries, to see all those names of men who lost their lives brings home the true reality of war and its consequences.
The evening spent a very comfortable hotel in Ypres, and spending time at the Menin Gate before the ceremony at 8pm which was a very moving experience for all those who attended.
From Belgium into France visiting Hawthorn Ridge, Lochnagar, Delville Wood and finally onto the Thiepval Memorial which bears the names of 72,000 men whose bodies were never found – it brings home the sacrifice made by so many men of all nations and the realisation of how lucky many of my generation were not to have experience such carnage to human life.
A tour I would highly recommend to everyone – once again thank you.
Mike Silcock
Chelmsford
This was my first time going to France with Frank Toogood who runs “The Battlefield Guide”. We were following in the footsteps of a Pte Alfred C Wood who was the Grandfather of one of our party. Frank did a really professional job, his research, commitment and attention to detail including a personalised guide book which he produced made it all very personal. He is a very knowledgeable guy who has a passion for the History of our armies. I really enjoyed our trip, the itinerary was planned out for us, all we had to do was listen! Looking forward to the next one.
Mick Mason
London
Just wanted to drop you a line to thank you for a fabulous tour of Waterloo last weekend. The time you spent with us at the outset by bringing to life the Panorama (which was spectacular in itself) provided exactly the right context for our subsequent visits to the key sites of Le Haye Sainte, Le Belle Alliance, Le Caillou, Plancenoit and of course Hougoumont. I felt able to put the pieces of the jigsaw together in my own mind and appreciate the enormous significance of each individual factor.
There are so many levels of interest within the battle – the intellectual illustrated by the strategic dispositions and movements of thousands of men and horses, the emotional epitomised by the fate of the 27th Inniskillins and the personal brought to life by the quotations of individuals – some famous like Captain Mercer and others almost lost in the shrouds of time like Private Matthew Clay. To balance and project all of these elements is critical to a full appreciation of the event and I thought you delivered brilliantly. Thank you.
John Wood
Black Notely, Braintree
I wanted to write and say how much I enjoyed the Waterloo experience with you at the weekend. It’s very clear that your overall knowledge of The Battle of Waterloo provided me and the other members of this tour with a valuable insight into the battle as it evolved. Your attention to detail, the clear, well designed maps and anecdotal, almost personal references brought the events of June 1815 to life in a very informative and engaging way. Excellent.
I would also like to thank you for your very thorough planning for the tour’s duration, the journey, the accomodation and general care for us “on tour”. A terrific experience and one that I am keen to repeat. Thank you.
Derek Price
Bocking, Braintree
Thank you so much for investigating about my grandfather’s time when he was serving in the Suffolk Regiment during the Boer War. I can’t tell you how pleased I was to have learned so much from the information you have been able to provide me.
All I had was my grandfathers wedding certificate and a photograph of my grandmother with my my mother aged 3 years old. It is sad to think that grandfather was killed in action and never saw his daughter. She was a baby when he was killed just 3 months old. At least now I feel I can at last lay him to rest. Thank you again.
Mareen Leeming
Bocking, Braintree
I wanted to drop you a few lines to say thanks for the fabulous trip to the battlefield at Waterloo.
It’s difficult to single out particular highlights of the trip as there were so many! One of them has got to be sitting at the top of the Lion Mound (breath-taking in more than one way!) and using the excellent maps you prepared to see how the battle moved from one phase to the next.
Another for me was standing in the actual room where Napoleon slept in on the eve of the great battle.
However the very best part for me of the whole trip was the walking tour of the famous Hougoumont Farm. Your blow by blow account of this epic struggle really brought it to life — you could almost smell the black powder smoke. Seeing some French Cavalry re–enactors there was the icing on the cake for me.
It’s obvious from your depth of knowledge and your enthusiasm, that you’ve put a great deal of time and effort into researching this battle, and made the tour so much more interesting. I look forward to travelling with you again.
Paul Fowler
Colchester
What an interesting day reliving the Battle at Waterloo. I learnt so much more information about this battle and Frank really brought the scene to life with his wonderful knowledge of the event. We visited all the main sites involved and I really felt the history come alive.
I would recommend this tour and would love to go again, maybe on the 3 day tour, where you could spend a bit more time immersed in the history and soaking up the surroundings. A truly memorable experience, not to be forgotten.
Michael Beresford
Braintree
Kevin and I would like to formally thank you for the excellent guidance which you gave us to the battlefield of Waterloo, and the surrounding areas of interest to that topic. The selection of good museums added to our enjoyment.
Our comforts in travel, meals and accommodation were well taken care of, and we’d like to thank you for the convenience of booking our hotel and especially for your attention to the details.
As for your knowledge of the subject, it is impeccable. We were totally enthralled by your dramatic and compelling re–telling of what occurred leading up to and subsequent to the historic events of 1815. Your descriptions of the personalities, the large and small details, the setting of the scenes, and the unfolding of that gripping drama to its conclusion, we found thrilling. Your souvenir folder was an unexpected bonus.
We have no doubt that we wouldn’t have found a better guide.
Kaaren and Kevin Palmer
South Australia
Frank, thank you for a most insightful day at Waterloo. Your knowledge of the ebb and flow of the battle was impressive; however your intimacy with the details of the pivotal fight for Hougoumont was very very special. I really enjoyed the recitation of the participants of all segments of the battle, which you had indexed to each site of the entire battle, of their recollections and feelings about what was going on around them, as if they were actually part of your tour. Standing on the spot that they stood on, and hearing their voices and feeling that took place over a 194 years ago added something I’ve not experienced before, and added much to the total experience. I would most enthusiastically recommend your guidance to Waterloo to anyone who is interested in an insightful tour of this history changing battle.
Robert Gogerty
Seattle, Washington
USA
