Back up the Line

Back up the Line Bespoke, small group tours to the battlefields of the First World War on the western front. Welcome to Back up the Line. My name is Andy Day, your guide.

My aim is to provide a bespoke service to small groups wishing to visit the former battlefields of the First World War in France and Belgium. Whilst guiding you around the various sites I would aim to set out the events of the time and put them into a context that is easy to understand, thought provoking, stimulating and enlightening. I come from a military background having served for 10 years w

ith the Royal Engineers. Since an early age I have had a deep interest in history which has developed into a focus on military history with a specific leaning to the First World War. I have been visiting the old western front for more than 20 years. Initially with just a couple of like minded friends but, as the years have passed escorting groups to all of the major sites, Ypres, Somme, Arras, Cambrai and more. In addition to visiting the more popular sites I do endeavour to look at some of those areas where the fighting took place that rarely see visitors. I can offer basic research for those who have found a relative who served or fell during the period and, where possible, would aim to take visitors to the locations where their relatives served.

15/07/2021
07/05/2021
13/03/2021

Our War Graves, Your History | CWGC

09/03/2021
06/03/2021
https://www.cwgc.org/
31/10/2020

https://www.cwgc.org/

Welcome to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. We commemorate the 1.7 men and women of the Commonwealth that died during the First and Second World Wars.

Over the weekend of 11-13th Oct a group of 38 from the Surrey branch WFA visited the battlefields of Flanders & Ypres wh...
16/10/2019

Over the weekend of 11-13th Oct a group of 38 from the Surrey branch WFA visited the battlefields of Flanders & Ypres where we looked at the contribution made by those forces from the dominion countries of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India & South Africa.

01/07/2019

Not WW1 related but I thought it might be interesting to some.
A visit to "TANKFEST" at the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorest on Saturday.
One of the vehicles running was this WW2 era German Panzer Mk5, (Panther). One of only a very few still in existence and the only one, that I know of, still in running order.

27/05/2019

A brief video combining still photos and video from a drone flown by one of our party, Terry Taylor. On this trip, over the weekend of 24 - 26th May 2019 we covered the opening week of the WW1 with visits to Mons and Le Cateau. This was followed on the second day by a look southern half of the Somme battlefield where we learnt about many of the aspects for which trench wafare in WW1 is known. On the third and final day we ventured back in time to the 14th & 15th centurys to look at two of the battles fought during the Hundred years war, Crécy and Agincourt. The weather wasn’t too kind for this day so the drone could not fly. A wholly stimulating tour with a group of 16 engaging, humorous and friendly people. It was my absolute pleasue to act as their guide.
TURN THE SOUND ON.

A few moments of solitude and contemplation in this , now peaceful place that was once filled with death and destruction...
26/05/2019

A few moments of solitude and contemplation in this , now peaceful place that was once filled with death and destruction.

A few images from the recce I’ve just returned from in preparation for the main tour later this month.
04/05/2019

A few images from the recce I’ve just returned from in preparation for the main tour later this month.

03/02/2019

2019 Spring tour, “Op Maidens Charm”.
Fri 24 - Sun 26 May.
E-mails have been sent out to everyone joining this tour earlier today.

15/12/2018

E-mails have gone out to everyone who is coming along on next springs tour, Op Maidens Charm.

30/11/2018

The recruiting office is now closed for, "Operation Maidens Charm", our tour for next spring.
I'm sure there will be posts aplenty for anyone wishing to follow our journey.

With the centenary of the armistice which ended the 1st World War approaching in a few days, now would be a good time to...
02/11/2018

With the centenary of the armistice which ended the 1st World War approaching in a few days, now would be a good time to announce the spring tour tour to France/Belgium.
Aiming for the end of May to early June the tour will take its usual format of 3 days with 2 nights away.
We will look at the opening moves of the war and the Battle of Mons followed by the retreat on day one.
Day two will be centered upon the southern area of the Somme battlefield.
On our final day we deviate from the normal subject matter slightly, this time we'll spend some time going back further in history.........to the Hundred Years War with a tour around the battlefields of Agincourt, (1415) and Crécy, (1346).
If you'd like to come along just send me a message declaring your interest and I'll get back to you in due course.
Prices etc will depend upon numbers. The cut off date will be the end of November.
Come along now, fall in, sign the enlistment form and join the ranks.

01/11/2018
23/10/2018

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Aldershot

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BACK UP THE LINE (Great War Battlefield Tours)

Welcome to Back up the Line.

The name of this page comes from a term in common use by British troops during the First World War. After a period away from the frontline, (which was more often than is usually believed), invariably they would have to return. When this occurred they would refer to themselves as having to go, “Back up the line”.

My aim is to provide a bespoke service to small groups wishing to visit the former battlefields of the First World War in France and Belgium. Whilst guiding you around the various sites I would hope to set out the events of the time and put them into a context that is easy to understand, thought provoking, stimulating and enlightening. I come from a military background having served for 10 years with the Royal Engineers. Since an early age I have had a deep interest in history which has developed into a focus on military history with a specific leaning to the First World War. I have been visiting the old western front for more than 20 years. Initially with just a couple of like minded friends but, as the years have passed escorting groups to all of the major sites, Ypres, Somme, Arras, Cambrai and more. In addition to visiting the more popular sites I do endeavour to look at some of those areas where the fighting took place that rarely see visitors. I can offer basic research for those who have found a relative who served or fell during the period and, where possible, would aim to take visitors to the locations where their relatives served.

Whilst acting as your guide I do so as an enthusiastic amateur. I am not a professional guide and do not undertake this role for personal gain. I carry no third party insurance or any other indemnities. I ask only that you cover my expenses and that where possible we use your transport.