The Not Forgotten

28/05/2026

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Peter Hewitt, Co-Chair of Universal Defence and Security Solutions, as Ambassador for The Not Forgotten.

Peter’s appointment was marked at our annual Buckingham Palace Garden Party on Tuesday 19th May 2026, hosted by our Patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.

For more than a century, The Not Forgotten has supported serving personnel and veterans living with injury, illness and isolation. Peter’s support will help us continue raising awareness of this work and championing the Armed Forces community.

Pictured: Peter Hewitt with our Chief Executive, Richard Walker OBE, outside Buckingham Palace and beside our elephant statue, the emblem of The Not Forgotten.

Welcome to The Not Forgotten family, Peter.

23/05/2026

🌺 Remembering the Iraq War, 15 Years On 🌺

Yesterday The Not Forgotten was honoured to join a beautifully moving ceremony held by the Royal British Legion at the National Memorial Arboretum to mark the 15th anniversary of the conclusion of the Iraq War (Op TELIC) on 22nd May 2011, when the last British personnel departed the country.

We were proud to join hundreds of service men and women, veterans, families, the bereaved, and their supporters to honour the extraordinary service and sacrifice of the British Armed Forces during operations in Iraq.

Many words have been written, and the details debated, regarding the Iraq conflict. What is not in dispute is the professionalism and dedication of the British Armed Forces during Operation TELIC. 179 British Armed Forces personnel lost their lives. And as our community knows well, thousands more were wounded, many with life-changing physical injuries, or are still living with emotional or mental ill-health as a result of their experience.

The Remembrance ceremony at the NMA yesterday was a poignant tribute to all those involved in the conflict, across all the military services - and those coping without them at home. With powerful readings and reflections, music from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, a helicopter flypast and a wreath laying at the Armed Forces Memorial and the Basra Wall.

We will remember them.

21/05/2026

👑Buckingham Palace Garden Party 2026 - the official photos have landed! 📸
With thanks to photographer Jeff Gilbert.

Here are just a few of our favourite shots from a wonderful afternoon spent by 2,200 veterans and serving personnel and their guests in the gardens of Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.

The whole album of photos can be viewed on our website at:
https://thenotforgotten.org/image-gallery/buckingham-palace-garden-party-2026/

Please download any photos you wish from the TNF website, by kind permission of the photographer Jeff Gilbert. If you would like a higher-resolution version of any image please email [email protected]
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We were honoured to be invited by His Majesty The King to hold our Garden Party at the Palace on Tuesday 19th May, a tradition which dates back to 1921 and for which we are deeply grateful.

The Garden Party is our largest annual event and a highlight of our calendar. We collaborate with over 150 military organisations to invite veterans from all three military services and the Merchant Navy, from every military campaign since the Second World War.

We were delighted to be hosted this year by our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal and her husband Sir Tim Laurence. The Royal couple spent a long time talking to many of the veterans about their experiences and achievement, and sharing moments of real warmth and humour.

We enjoyed beautiful al fresco performances from Jedburgh Pipe Band and award-winning classical trio Blake, and the Beating of the Retreat by The Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines Portsmouth.

Even the weather smiled on us despite a wet forecast, with just one short shower during the whole afternoon, and even sunshine peeking through!

The joy and excitement the Garden Party brings our guests is almost immeasurable, providing the experience of a lifetime, countering isolation and loneliness, and reinforcing to veterans that their service continues to be remembered, valued and celebrated.

The Royal Family

21/05/2026

Join us at The Not Forgotten charity garden tea part in the beautiful gardens of Buckingham Palace (and yes, royalty does make an appearance so watch to the end!).
The Not Forgotten is a fantastic charity for wounded veterans who help them with entertainment and activities and have been going for over 100 years!

20/05/2026

19/05/2026

Over 2,000 veterans of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force and the Merchant Navy join us today in the good old British sunshine (mostly!) at Buckingham Palace for a very special garden party … Hosted by our Patron HRH The Princess Royal, honouring and celebrating all those who have served their country, from those in their twenties to veterans over 100

The Royal Family

18/05/2026

It's all systems go at The Not Forgotten as we gear up for our Garden Party at Buckingham Palace tomorrow - we hope those of you who are coming are getting excited!

Please do note that the weather forecast for tomorrow is looking very changeable so please come prepared!

The Palace have approved guests bringing in umbrellas and small blankets to keep warm - but please note large bags are not permitted.

The planned tube strike tomorrow has now been called off, but the London Taxi Drivers Association are nonetheless kindly providing a taxi rank at the front of Palace from 4pm if you need to use a cab to make your journey home.

We can't wait to welcome you tomorrow afternoon for a truly special afternoon, whatever the weather ☀️⛅️🌦️☔️🌈

13/05/2026

🚴‍♀️Join us for a 150km cycle challenge with fellow veterans in the beautiful Cotswolds this summer! 🚴

Suitable for both cyclists and adaptive cyclists, take on two days of adventure from Cheltenham out into the picturesque Cotswold countryside.

You'll arrive in Cheltenham on Thursday morning, drop your personal bags and head off into the countryside for 50km to warm you up and prepare you for day two. We will accommodate you overnight in shared rooms in Cheltenham and then head out on a different route on Friday, covering a challenging 100km before a celebratory meal with your newfound friends. Departure after breakfast on Saturday morning.

This event is in partnership with The Parts Guys Ltd, bike tour specialists who have supported our previous challenges in Cumbria, the DDay80 ride and the Tour de Not Forgotten.

🚴You must bring your own bike/adaptive bike and be suitably prepared to complete the full 150km challenge.

If you fancy joining us, click on the link in the comments below⬇️ to register your interest in coming! 🚴

Please note - you must be a registered beneficiary of The Not Forgotten to express an interest in this event. Go to our website and click on 'Get our Help' to register...

11/05/2026

🎉NEW EVENT ALERT! 🎉

Fancy a beautiful afternoon of food, music, children’s entertainment, classic cars, Morris dancers and even a ‘cake-off’?

Our friends at Gloucestershire Freemasons Glos Masons have kindly invited The Not Forgotten beneficiaries to their annual Family Fun Day at Highnam Court just outside Gloucester on Saturday 4th July.

The afternoon is a glorious occasion in the picturesque setting of the 17th Century Grade I listed stately home Highnam Court and its 40 acres of gardens and lakes... TNF veterans and their families who attended in 2024 had a wonderful time!

Your ticket will be for yourself and one guest, plus children/grandchildren. It includes:

Complimentary scone, jam and cream with a glass of bubbly
Classic car show
Fine musical entertainment
Children’s rides, sports day, Punch & Judy show and face painting
The great Highnam ‘Cake Off’!
Styx Morris Dancers
Raffle
Access to Highnam Court’s 40 acres of outstanding gardens and lakes
Burger & hot dog BBQ, or bring your own picnic
Pay bar
Free parking

Bring a partner or friend, and your children or grandchildren. Dogs also welcome.

Relax and connect with TNF veterans and other guests. Bring rugs and chairs, a brolly and sun hat (this is the British summer!) Take a picnic or purchase your lunch from the delicious stalls.

Please note this is not a TNF event but an event delivered by a third party for which we will arrange your tickets.

To register your interest in attending this event go to https://www.thenotforgotten.org/web-app/?app=tnf&eventId=69fdbd6afa3d199996a1c420

08/05/2026

Today marks the 81st anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, the momentous day in May 1945 celebrating the unconditional surrender of Germany and her allies, and the end of nearly six years of a war that had cost the lives of millions.
Here Ruth Barnwell (now 102), who served as a 'Wren' (the Women's Royal Naval Service) during World War Two, describes the moment on the 8th May when she heard the news that the war was over...