Tales from the road
Andy Parkin's Experience on the D-Day Battlefields Tour
Andy Parkin, Leger's Assistant Studio Manager, has been designing Leger brochures for the past 14 years and has worked on many of Leger's Battlefield Tours brochures. In October this year, he left the comfort of the office to explore the D-Day Battlefields in Normandy.
I always had a general interest in World War II, but more specifically the D-Day landing beaches. So when I was given the opportunity to join a Battlefields tour, the D-Day Beaches tour was the obvious choice. I was traveling on one of Leger's Silver Service coaches. Despite working for Leger for so long, I rarely travel by coach and was surprised at how comfortable it was. Plus, the fact that we had comfort stops along the way gave us time to get a bite to eat and stretch our legs. At the back of the Silver Service coaches, there's even a lounge, so people headed there for a chat or just to mingle with the other passengers.
What time did the excursions start and finish each day?
We got on the coach around 8:30 am and got back about 5ish every day. It was very busy each day as we had a lot to pack in, but we had plenty of time to get to all the places of interest on the itinerary, and also time for a sit-down meal for those who wanted. We didn't get any free time as such, but we could have a wander around on our own at most of the places we visited. To be honest, I stayed with the guide because I wanted to hear what he had to say. He really brought these places to life—without him, it would've been hard to understand the full story, so we all tended to stay together as a group. Each day was packed full of interesting facts and unbelievable stories of bravery and, of course, some sorrow.
How long did you spend on the excursions each day?
It all depended on where we went and what we saw. For example, we spent 1 hour 20 minutes at Omaha Cemetery which, after the guide had told us a few stories, still wasn't long enough. I personally would have liked another 30 minutes or so to have a look around the Visitors' Centre, but overall the time we had at each place was just about spot on. We covered lots of miles on the trip, but there was certainly no time to get bored as people were chatting about what they'd seen and learned. On the way there, we watched Dad's Army, which gave most of us a laugh, and, of course, no visit to the D-Day Beaches would be complete without watching The Longest Day starring John Wayne.
Are the beaches well kept? Are they still used for recreation?
This is a very good question and one of the facts that I found quite touching. All of the D-Day landing beaches and the surrounding areas are very well respected and looked after, and this is passed down to the local people from one generation to the next. During the summer months, all of the beaches are used for recreation purposes, except Omaha Beach, the hardest hit of them all.
What was the Specialist Battlefields Guide like?
Our guide was Richard Bass, a retired police officer with an unbelievable wealth of knowledge of the D-Day landings and the immediate aftermath. What I would say about trying to understand what happened there is that it's like trying to do a jigsaw puzzle you can't finish yourself: you know where the corners and edges go, but you need someone to complete the big picture. That's where Richard, our guide, came in. He really did put meat on the bones, if you like, and at every place we visited, he went into great detail about what had happened there. Our Specialist Guide, Richard Bass, talks to the group. I had a few brief conversations with Richard as we walked around the battlefield sites, as did many of the other passengers. He told me he's been working for Leger for 9 years and is still learning new things every day. I asked him if he'd ever been caught out by a question that he couldn't answer. He said, "yes, by a 12-year-old boy. He asked me about a grave in one of the cemeteries we had visited, and I just didn't know the answer, so as soon as we got back, I researched the question and got the answer for him. It happens sometimes, and fortunately, it hasn't happened since."
What were the passengers like?
We had a fairly mixed group of 30 male and 13 female passengers, which made for a very well-balanced group, with couples and a few singles mixed with groups of friends and fathers with sons, etc. After the day's events, most of us met up, either at lunchtime or at the hotel bar for a drink to talk about what we'd seen and what was on the itinerary for the next day.
You traveled alone on this tour. Would you have enjoyed it more if you were traveling with someone else?
Possibly, but you soon get talking to the other passengers, all with a common interest. I never felt alone because of the nature of the tour, and as a group, we'd always got something to talk about. If I was to go again, I would take my Dad. He's always had an interest in the Second World War. I think he'd find it just as fascinating as I did.
Was the tour as you expected?
It was, and more! There's so much detail and so much to take in. I never thought that I would remember everything—you just can't—but once you look back at your pictures, the memories soon start to come back. I've even got one of Richard's books on my wish list so I can learn more about the places we visited and the events that took place there.
Did you think the tour was value for money?
The guide was worth the money alone! You can't put a value on someone's knowledge; it's priceless! I'd love to go on another Second World War tour because this has got me fired up for more.
Would someone with absolutely no knowledge in D-Day Landings enjoy the tour?
It's a great introductory tour for anyone who has a general interest in the events surrounding D-Day—you don't need to know much about what happened, as long as you're interested, that's the main thing. Even someone who joined the tour with absolutely no knowledge of what happened on D-Day would have a great understanding of the events that unfolded after being there with the guide.
What was the best part of the tour?
I found all of it fascinating, but Omaha Beach was, for me, the most emotional and poignant, maybe because it's so well documented and I'd seen it in films such as Saving Private Ryan. It's a very subdued place, and it's not until you've heard the stories and you're actually standing on the beach that you fully appreciate what the troops were up against.
Can you sum up the D-Day Landings tour in 5 words?
Emotional, fascinating, informative, engrossing, captivating, educational, memorable, and inspiring... I know that's more than five words, but if you join the tour for yourself, you'll understand why five words are simply not enough. Find out more about this tour here.
