Save Steve's Shop (British Grenadier Bookshop)
Donation protected
Ypres (Ieper) Belgium is the home of an iconic World War One Institution, Salient Tours and The British Grenadier Bookshop started in 1993 they have been awarded several awards in excellence and accolades from around the world.
The heart of this store is Steve Douglas and his amazing team of guides. Since COVID struck there has been little to no business, he has had 2 tour booking in the past 18 months.
The costs of maintaining the Shop have not stopped and the rent, insurance etc still needed to be paid. After months of convincing Steve has finally agreed to allow a few close friends to create this go fund me page.
We are hosting this GO FUND ME PAGE to ensure that this irreplaceable landmark and bastion of WWI knowledge and education remains open. We want to enable Steve and his team to start this tourist season on a solid footing. We are aiming to cover his outstanding operational costs for the past 18 months.
Steve insisted that we make all of you know that any monies collected in excess of his needs will be donated to a military history group or like-minded organization.
The idea and support for this effort comes from the people below and we will post stories of Steve his team and the amazing work they do.
We encourage all of you to do the same.
Terry Copp - one of Canada’s foremost military historians, Battle Field Tour Study Guide, award winning author,
Eric McGeer - History Teacher and Author of several books on Canadian War History and Researcher ,
John Fotheringham - former Commanding Officer of The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada,
Michael Pretty - (Retired Major - PPCLI and The Royal Newfoundland Regiment) Chair – Trail of the Caribou Research Group
I will go first in my "Steve" story.
In 2004-5, I was tasked with bringing The Royal Newfoundland Regiment back to France and Flanders for the First time as a Regiment since it fought there in WWI. I had little idea of what transpired in Belgium and walked into The British Grenadier Bookshop, and asked for a Mr. Steve Douglas as recommended by Ms. Arlene King, Director of Beaumont Hamel. I explained who I was and what I was trying to do. Steve facilitated interviews with key people, help organize ceremonies and gave me and my team a personal tour of the Salient specific to my Regiment. During the Pilgrimage in 2006, Steve showed up at various ceremonies took pictures and then sent those pictures to me in Canada all at no cost. Some 15+ years later we are great friend’s and when I travel to Belgium I say at his place and he stays at mine, He is a great supporter of my Charity and he has Poppies from Various countries at his shop and the monies he collects goes to Legions in those Countries. Of the thousands of people I have referred to Steve for help in research or placing flowers on a grave or for a Tour I have never heard a bad word spoken of him. Steve is one of my favorite humans who has a kind heart and is constantly doing for others. It is time we all did something for him.
The heart of this store is Steve Douglas and his amazing team of guides. Since COVID struck there has been little to no business, he has had 2 tour booking in the past 18 months.
The costs of maintaining the Shop have not stopped and the rent, insurance etc still needed to be paid. After months of convincing Steve has finally agreed to allow a few close friends to create this go fund me page.
We are hosting this GO FUND ME PAGE to ensure that this irreplaceable landmark and bastion of WWI knowledge and education remains open. We want to enable Steve and his team to start this tourist season on a solid footing. We are aiming to cover his outstanding operational costs for the past 18 months.
Steve insisted that we make all of you know that any monies collected in excess of his needs will be donated to a military history group or like-minded organization.
The idea and support for this effort comes from the people below and we will post stories of Steve his team and the amazing work they do.
We encourage all of you to do the same.
Terry Copp - one of Canada’s foremost military historians, Battle Field Tour Study Guide, award winning author,
Eric McGeer - History Teacher and Author of several books on Canadian War History and Researcher ,
John Fotheringham - former Commanding Officer of The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada,
Michael Pretty - (Retired Major - PPCLI and The Royal Newfoundland Regiment) Chair – Trail of the Caribou Research Group
I will go first in my "Steve" story.
In 2004-5, I was tasked with bringing The Royal Newfoundland Regiment back to France and Flanders for the First time as a Regiment since it fought there in WWI. I had little idea of what transpired in Belgium and walked into The British Grenadier Bookshop, and asked for a Mr. Steve Douglas as recommended by Ms. Arlene King, Director of Beaumont Hamel. I explained who I was and what I was trying to do. Steve facilitated interviews with key people, help organize ceremonies and gave me and my team a personal tour of the Salient specific to my Regiment. During the Pilgrimage in 2006, Steve showed up at various ceremonies took pictures and then sent those pictures to me in Canada all at no cost. Some 15+ years later we are great friend’s and when I travel to Belgium I say at his place and he stays at mine, He is a great supporter of my Charity and he has Poppies from Various countries at his shop and the monies he collects goes to Legions in those Countries. Of the thousands of people I have referred to Steve for help in research or placing flowers on a grave or for a Tour I have never heard a bad word spoken of him. Steve is one of my favorite humans who has a kind heart and is constantly doing for others. It is time we all did something for him.
Organizer and beneficiary
Michael J Pretty
Organizer
Portugal Cove-St. Philip's, NL
Steve Douglas
Beneficiary
