First & Last Shots


About the tour: First & Last Shots


Tour Introduction

On this emotive Battlefield Tour, we take an in depth look at the WW1 battle grounds around the city of Mons in Belgium and Nimy Bridge. It was here where the first and last shots of The Great War were fired by the British and Commonwealth forces, and where the first and last soldiers are known to have died. Led by one of our Specialist Battlefield Guides, we visit many memorials, including that of Canadian soldier George Lawrence Price, know as the last to die during World War one. Plus, see the St. Symphorien Cemetery and the fascinating Mons War Museum.

Tour Includes


  • 3 nights hotel with continental breakfast
  • Specialist Battlefield Guide
  • Regional joining points (call for your nearest)
Book Now

Once you have booked your battlefield tour either online, or by telephone (), you have the flexibility of how you pay off the remainder of your balance. You can -

  1. Use our balance payment facility online to make and track your card payments. You can pay as much as you want up until your final due date or pay it all, the choice is yours.
  2. Send payments via online banking.
  3. Send payments via cheque.
  4. Call us and make a card payment, either a small amount or as lump sum until your final due date.

Our contact and online banking payment details will be on your confirmation invoice to remind you of your choices.

Abta - Travel with confidence
Atol protected

Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Regional departure by coach, then to our hotel in Belgium, where we stay for three nights.

Day 2 - First & Last Shots Memorials; Mons

We start our tour at Casteau, just outside Mons, where we see the 4th Dragoon Guards Memorial close to the spot where they engaged the Germans just before the Battle of Mons, firing the first shots of the British Army on the Western Front. On the other side of the road, we visit a Canadian memorial on the site of their final advance on 11th November 1918: four years of war separated by a few yards of ground. From here, we move on to the Battle of Mons on 23rd August 1914 and see the battlefield around Nimy Bridge where the first two Victoria Crosses of the war were awarded to men of the Royal Fusiliers. In central Mons, we see the memorials at the Town Hall and the ‘Guardroom Monkey’ and have lunch here before going to the western side of the battlefield to see where the Norfolks were at Elouges, and the Cheshires close by. We also see where British cavalry made a classic charge at Audregnies, resulting in the award of two Victoria Crosses.

Included meals: Breakfast

Nimy Bridge

Nimy Bridge (4)

Key Visits

  • Nimy Bridge
  • Mons
  • Audregnies

Day 3 - Mons War Museum; St. Symphorien Cemetery

Today we begin at the Mons War Museum, an excellent museum which explains the role of Mons in conflict over many centuries, but in particular, the First World War. We then look at the areas where fighting took place around the city in November 1918. After lunch we visit the Memorial to George Lawrence Price, the last British and Commonwealth casualties at 10.58am on 11th November 1918, just two minutes before the end. We end the tour at the moving and impressive St. Symphorien Cemetery, which contains the graves of the first and last casualties, as well as German casualties from the battle.

Included meals: Breakfast

St Symphorien Cemetery

St. Symphorien Cemetery (2)

Key Visits

  • St. Symphorien Cemetery
  • Mons War Museum

Day 4

Return home.

Included meals: Breakfast

Specialist Battlefield Guides

All of Leger’s battlefield tours are accompanied by specialist guides. Their individual in-depth knowledge of warfare will be informative, as well as enhance your overall experience, as they recreate a fascinating perception of the history and factual events of each battle. Discover the actual catalysts for war, the strategies employed and the final, inevitable outcomes, as well as experiencing the emotional human side of the front line.

Please note: On certain tours, you may get tour guides other that the ones listed below.

Previous Next

Hotel

You will stay for three nights at the 3-star Casteau Resort, Mons. The hotel is situated close to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), the central command of NATO-military forces. Each well-appointed bedroom comes equipped with cable satellite television with CNN® and BBC channels. The hotel also features an exercise room, sauna and Jacuzzi. Friendly, English-speaking staff are ready to ensure a comfortable and memorable stay.

Travel Options

All our coaches and transfer vehicles operate a 'no smoking on board policy'. The use of electronic cigarettes is strictly forbidden.
In the interest of fellow guests, do not take hot food or ice cream on board.
alcohol can only be taken on board our vehicles at the discretion of your driver.

When it comes to getting to the Battlefields, Leger Holidays make it easy, with a selection of travel options for you choose from.

Travel Extras

With an overnight stay or the option to meet us at the interchange, our travel extras allow you to create a travel experience to suit your needs...

Join coach at Interchange

Join your tour coach at the interchange.

On most tours if you’d prefer to join your tour coach at Stop 24 services, you can park your car in the car park which is accredited by the Park Mark safer parking scheme and is monitored 24 hours a day by CCTV. Payment for the parking is made on arrival using the self-service machines.

Excludes tours to Ireland and the U.K. and tours travelling via Brittany Ferries.

Book Now

OR

Call our friendly advisors on:

Sign up for FREE email offers