Silent Picket

23/04/2026

Somehow during this very busy week we found time to have a very special group of people to lunch.

23/04/2026

At the weekend, following John's research, we learnt the story of Corporal Edward Newton Matthews, a New Zealander who came from the uttermost ends of the earth to help liberate France during the First World War. Serving with the Auckland Regiment, Newton fought on the ground between High Wood and Delville Wood in 1916, helping to free the village of Flers. At the beginning of 1917 he was wounded and spent a year in England.
In August 1918 when the New Zealanders began to push the Germans back, Newton was back with them. He was killed when leading a recce party and was buried by the Germans just outside Bapaume. When his comrades took the ground, they found his grave and subsequently sent its location to his family. He was later moved to Beulencourt British Cemetery.
This week Roger and Sue came from New Zealand to walk in the footsteps of Roger's Uncle Newton. It was a pleasure to learn Newton's story and to spend time with his family.

26/03/2026

This week we hosted James and Barry as they continued their mission to visit all the fallen commemorated on the brass plaque in the church at Weston, Hertfordshire. We collected them from Ieper and followed the front line south as far as Amiens, stopping at the Silent Picket for the night en route. They visited the graves and memorials of 13 men of Weston, and took in the memorials at Neuve-Chapelle, Le Touret, Loos-en-Gohelle, Notre-dame de Lorette, Neuville-Saint-Vaast (including the memorial to the Poles who fought with the French Foreign Legion), and Villers-Bretonneux.

It was a pleasure to be with these two men as they shared where and how these soldiers from Weston had lived before the war, bringing each of them momentarily back to life.

23/01/2026

Our Statement in response to President Trump's comments:

The service and sacrifice of British personnel in Afghanistan cannot be called into question, and we condemn any comments that undermine their extraordinary contribution. 457 British personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan and thousands more and their families now live with the lifelong physical and mental impact from service in that conflict.

The dedication and sacrifices of the men and women in the British Armed Forces from the UK, Commonwealth, and beyond, to protect our freedoms and support our allies deserves our deep and ongoing respect and gratitude.

Our nation’s support for our Armed Forces is never in doubt. The Royal British Legion through our ongoing work to recognise, remember, and support the Armed Forces community, ensures that their unique contribution is not forgotten. This recognition is shared across communities, cultures, and faiths.

24/12/2025

Wishing all of our Friends and Clients, old and new, our Warmest Best Wishes for this Holiday Time. We look forward to seeing you in 2026

20/10/2025

ACT OF REMEMBRANCE 9th November 2025 at Hesdin-la-Forêt

The RBL Nord/Pas de Calais Branch will be holding an Act of Remembrance at the Parish Hall, Rue de L’Arsenal, Hesdin-la-Forêt at 11.30 on Sunday 9th November.

Rue de L’Arsenal is the small side street between BNP Paribas Bank and the Notaires Office in Rue Charles Quint, just up from the Belle Epoque Restaurant.

We are compiling a Remembrance Book and would be grateful for any details of family or friends who died in conflict, be they service personnel or civilians. Please contact John Bosworth, [email protected], who is the Membership Secretary of the Legion Branch.

We hope to see as many as possible at the Act of Remembrance.

07/08/2025

28/07/2025

We are so lucky with our guests...Thank you to everyone who has given us a rave review over the years.

Silent Picket: Wonderful B&B with a focus on local history - See 110 traveller reviews, 70 candid photos, and great deals for Silent Picket at Tripadvisor.

22/07/2025

28/06/2025

This great local museum is often overlooked, but is well worth a visit. If you're over for 1st July think about going underground afterwards - it'll be cool there.