Tour Consultant
My name is John Hetherington and I am a retired history teacher from North Bay, Ontario. I have always been very interested in military history. Since 1983 I have spent most of my summers backpacking throughout the world exploring ancient and modern battlefields. I have also had considerable experience traveling through areas that have been ravaged by civil war. I have been making trips to Europe each year since 1991 to study the battlefields of the First and Second World Wars. In 1997 I began leading groups on battlefield tours throughout Europe. The route and sites that I have selected for this tour will provide all participants with an educational and memorable experience that will last a lifetime.
We will be visiting museums, memorials and military cemeteries as well as the actual sites where the battles took place. There will be opportunities to inspect bunkers and trench systems as well as meet some interesting people along the way. Special emphasis will be directed towards highlighting the various battle tactics employed by the Allied Armies while fighting in Western Europe during the campaigns of 1914 to 1918 and 1939-1945. At each stop we will receive a full explanation regarding the significance of each site.
Visiting the actual battlefields will allow everyone to gain a greater appreciation of each campaign. The sites selected for the tour will allow participants to develop a greater understanding of the tactics, strategies and weapons used during both wars. This experience is also intended to give all participants a greater appreciation for the sacrifices made by all soldiers who served in Western Europe during the First and Second World Wars. I can also research the background of one of your relatives who may have served in the Great War or World War 2 and provide insights into where they fought and if they were killed what was the circumstance of the action that they were involved in.
Verstraete Travel uses the services of John for the planning of WW1 and WW2 Battlefield Tours. Additionally John and his wife Donna lead some of those tours.