Meet your tour operator – Gary McKay.
Gary was born and raised in Stettler, Alberta. He was married there and raised three children. He was a livestock auctioneer and part owner of the Stettler Auction Mart, a family business started in 1954. In addition, he is a professional agricultural real estate appraiser and broker.
The ‘70’s and ‘80’s were hectic days for Gary. In addition to raising a young family and working as an auctioneer and agricultural real estate consultant, he also served on the municipal council for nine years, the last three as Mayor of the Town of Stettler. He also found the time to sing in a country band and has recorded two albums.
In 1989, Gary moved to Calgary to pursue his career as an agricultural real estate consultant. In 1990 he became a co-owner of the Longbranch Saloon, a country nightclub, in Drumheller.
Gary’s interest in military history began in the mid 1990’s while doing research on his own father’s WW2 service. Following this and after a number of tours of the Normandy battlefields, he developed an interest in WW1, researching a great uncle’s service. This uncle was part of the “Old Contemptibles” and was one of the first British (Irish) soldiers to enter France in WW1 thus earning the 1914 star/clasp. He went on to earn the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal, second only to the VC), then the MM(Military Medal) and was mentioned-in-despatches 4 times. After WW1, he emigrated to Canada, then enlisted for WW2. However, his age was a factor and he was assigned to the Veterans Home Guard.
By now, Gary was irretrievably hooked and turned his passion north to the theatres of NW Europe. Like many others, he thought that the war started and ended in Normandy, and the only reason the war lasted as long as it did, was simply because it took the allies that long to chase down a rag tag, demoralized German army. It didn’t take long to realize how wrong he was. In fact, Hitler still had elite, battle hardened front line soldiers including fanatical paratroopers and remnants of some of his storied SS Divisions, ready for the fray. The following eight months after Normandy involved some of the most intense and ferocious battles of the War.
In 2010 Gary and his wife Dianne decided to pursue the idea of starting Canadian Battlefield Tours. After making this decision, Gary has spent considerable time in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic researching the routes for Canadian Battlefield Tours.
Along the way, we have been fortunate to have been assisted by a number of individuals whose counsel has been invaluable. I would like to recognize them on this website. They are:
Prof. Terry Copp & Michael Bechtold, Wilfrid Laurier University. These gentlemen are the preeminent military historians in Canada. Unlike most military historians who confine their expertise to the sterile world of academia, focusing on war planning and the view of the Generals, Messrs. Copp and Bechtold devote an equal amount of time to the front line soldier at the “sharp edge”. Anyone who has an interest in Canadian Military history would be well advised to read all their books and guides. Neither of them has ever refused a call or email seeking answers. Terry’s Battlefield guide is an integral component of my tours.
George Blackburn MC – Author of the Guns of Victory became a friend many years ago and was always there when Gary had questions. Memoirs from his book are intricately woven into tours 1,2 and 3.
Denis Whitaker – Although we never met, Gen. Whitaker’s books Tug of War and Rhineland, have also heavily influenced our tours.
Dr. Martin King – Another military historian with similar attributes of Messrs. Copp and Bechtold. Gary spent some time touring with Martin and they became fast friends. His knowledge and assistance has been invaluable. Martin is a world renowned military historian, author and film maker and his background reads as follows;
– British. Lives in Belgium. Taught at the University of Antwerp.
– Cities of the Underworld: Historical consultant and Production Manager/ Produced by Authentic TV Hollywood. Los Angeles. USA
– Hitler’s Trenches: Historical consultant presenter
– Barbarians Lair: Historical Consultant and Production Manager
– Greatest Tank Battles: Produced by Breakthrough Films Toronto Canada
– The Battle of the Bulge. SS Panzer attack. Historical consultant presenter
– The race for Bastogne: Historical Consultant
– The battle of Kursk: Historical Consultant Researcher
– Narrow Escapes: Produced by WMR London. U.K. Presenter
– Voices of the Bulge: Produced by Latchodrom Brussels. Writer, Historical Consultant, Presenter.
