OS History Society: 3rd-8th September 2025 Arnhem Tour Followed by a Special 500th Anniversary Celebration In Ypres
This September the Old Sedberghian Club will host a trip to the Netherlands and Belgium to remember those Sedberghians who fought and died in the region. Five Old Sedberghians were directly involved in the Battle of Arnhem. Two did not return home. A further 13 Sedberghians died as a result of fighting in the Netherlands during World War Two.
Sedbergh contemporaries Lieutenant John Horsley (S 1933 – 1938) 1st Airborne Battalion Border Regiment, and Lieutenant Reginald Bryan Woods 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment (L 1933 – 1937) died within a fortnight of each other following their involvement in Operation Market Garden. Horsley died on the final day of the operation from wounds sustained while leading his troops out of Arnhem. Woods sustained wounds during the initial incursion in Arnhem and died as prisoner of war in Germany days later. The History Society trip in September includes a visit to Oosterbeek War Cemetery to pay tribute to Horsley at his grave.
Of those Sedberghians who fought at Arnhem and survived the conflict, Ingram Cleasby (L 1934 – 38) fought with the Border Regiment, and having been captured was held by the German forces as a Prisoner of War at Oflag IXA/H Spangenberg alongside fellow officers including Bruce Shand, father of Her Majesty Queen Camilla. Martin Mackay (S 1937 – 1941) was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his involvement in the campaign at Arnhem. A former member of staff also dropped with the airborne forces at Arnhem.
The trip will have particular resonance for several members of the party. Former COO of Sedbergh School, Peter Marshall’s own father fought at Arnhem with the allies. Development Director Jan van der Velde’s mother was a Dutch nurse who found herself close to fighting at the Rijnbrug (Rhine Bridge) during Operation Market Garden and was evacuated to safety.
The trip that takes place between Wednesday 3rd September and Monday 8th September will visit Joe’s Bridge, Overloon War Museum in Nijmegen, the Airborne War Cemetery in Arnhem and the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces in Brussels, and will include walking tours of Nijmegen, Arnhem and Brussels. After completing the tour of Arnhem, the party will join up with the School Battlefields trip to celebrate the 500th Anniversary of Sedbergh School in Ypres. There will be performances by the School Choir at St Martin’s Cathedral in Ypres and a special performance of the Last Post at the Menin Gate. The party will be joined by Dr Bruce Cherry whose knowledge of First World War campaigns made the Pilgrimage tours such a success.
Please see how to book below:
For further information contact Bob Peters on bob.peters@travelcounsellors.com.