SIR – Monday, August 4, marks the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War. From August 4 until Saturday, August 9, I will lead a coach party from the north of England to the First World War battlefields in Belgium and France.

En route, we will visit the Shuttleworth Collection of First War aircraft. In London we will have dinner in the Lloyd George Room in Whitehall and hear the chimes of Big Ben at 11pm marking the centenary. We will also visit the tomb of the unknown warrior, the Cenotaph and the centenary exhibition at the Imperial War Museum.

In Belgium, we will visit Mons where the British army fired the first – and the last – shots in the war. We will follow the retreat of the ‘Old Contemptibles’ from Mons through Le Cateau, Landrecies, St Quentin to the Marne.

We will also see the armistice carriage at Compiegne, visit the grave of Wilfred Owen, see the trench lines of the Somme and Flanders and attend the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate.

We will visit sites associated with the northern regiments and a full explanation will be given of particular battles and events. It will be possible to pay personal respects by visiting a family member’s grave or memorial.

We have a few places left and I will be happy to supply details to readers if they contact me at 2 Eden Gate, Warcop, Appleby in Westmorland, Cumbria CA16 6PL, or call 017683 41060 or mobile 07710 270640.

David Raw, Appleby in Westmorland, Cumbria