FILE: Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43 gathered at the Prince George Cenotaph earlier this year.

By Tommy Osborne

Vimy Tour

Vimy Ridge to Juno Beach: Prince George locals planning historic tour

Oct 29, 2025 | 4:42 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Prince George locals are planning a tour to give you an opportunity to visit one of the most important locations in Canada’s history. Teachers Marlo Mahoney and Andrew Tomlinson, in partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #43, are planning a tour of Vimy Ridge and other historic locations regarding Canada’s involvement in both World Wars.

“It’s unbelievable history when you see it and you walk the grounds, they’re going to be walking the grounds of Juno Beach and Vimy Ridge and Dieppe,” said Eric Callaghan, Legion Branch #43 President.

“It’s one thing to learn about this history, reading the books and watching movies, things like that, and documentaries. But going over there, you get the emotional connection and the response to seeing a grave full of thousands of people that have served and died for Canada, or any other countries,” Tomlinson added.

Known as Canada’s most celebrated military victory and a key part of shaping our country’s national identity, Mahoney says we all have a connection to it, so it’s in any Canadians’ interest to see it for yourself and take in the history. The tour will take place from March 16-25, 2026.

BCHL Playoffs

Langley's goalie steals game one over Spruce Kings

6h ago

ckpg news special

The Resource Reality

Apr 03, 2026

Crime

Paramedics injured after object thrown through ambulance window

Apr 03, 2026

“It doesn’t matter where you come from in Canada, one of your ancestors was over there. Whether they fought for Canada, for Britain, or for Germany, to go over there and to see where this happened and be boots on the ground is a huge privilege,” Mahoney said.

“I’ve taken my own son over, and he stood in the exact spot where his great uncle Val came on, and to watch a big football player break down in tears because he felt that connection … he stood at his graveside, he understood the sacrifice that his uncle made,” she continued.

Tomlinson and Mahoney have organized this tour many times before for students, but this time the tour is planned with adults in mind, although youth are welcome to attend with a parent or guardian.

“One thing that a lot of groups see or feel is just that proud connection to have been there, to have done it, and see where and how these battlefields were and how they looked going to those sites, the museums around them, and seeing how the people in those countries still recognize Canada as a significant contribution to freeing them during the First and Second World Wars,” Tomlinson said.

“I’ve had students go over and say: ‘hey, I have an uncle, can we maybe find him?’ Yes, we definitely can. I’ve had other students who don’t think they have a connection, but when they get there, when they walk on the beach, they have that connection,” Mahoney added.

If you are interested, the deadline to apply for the tour is the end of November. Tomlinson said tickets are around $7-8000, which is all inclusive. You can reach out if you would like to join, or learn more, at pgbattletours@gmail.com.

Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your inbox every evening.