Peter Ricketts
@lordrickettsp.bsky.social
Former diplomat, Chair Lords European Affairs Cttee, Vice-Chair RUSI, Hon Pres Normandy Memorial. Special Envoy for loan of Bayeux Tapestry. Pop up on media a bit. Views all my own!
I represented @houseoflords.parliament.uk at a Summit in Stockholm to remind the world of Crimea’s plight since 2014: killings, children sent to Russian camps, cultural heritage destroyed etc. Zelensky put it powerfully in his speech to us ‘Putin wants legal recognition for what he has stolen’.
November 24, 2025 at 4:53 PM
I represented @houseoflords.parliament.uk at a Summit in Stockholm to remind the world of Crimea’s plight since 2014: killings, children sent to Russian camps, cultural heritage destroyed etc. Zelensky put it powerfully in his speech to us ‘Putin wants legal recognition for what he has stolen’.
We will remember them, today and every day.
November 9, 2025 at 7:35 AM
We will remember them, today and every day.
Only one possible viewing option this evening!
November 7, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Only one possible viewing option this evening!
We welcomed our Royal Patron HM The King to @RUSI_org to mark 50 years that HRH The Duke of Kent has been our President. RUSI was the first think tank in the world founded by the first Duke of Wellington in 1831 - and now chaired by the current Duke! An old Institute doing cutting edge research.
November 7, 2025 at 2:19 PM
We welcomed our Royal Patron HM The King to @RUSI_org to mark 50 years that HRH The Duke of Kent has been our President. RUSI was the first think tank in the world founded by the first Duke of Wellington in 1831 - and now chaired by the current Duke! An old Institute doing cutting edge research.
An important mission today in advance of Remembrance Day to lay a wreath at the British Normandy Memorial which my five year old grandson made all on his own.
November 6, 2025 at 9:39 PM
An important mission today in advance of Remembrance Day to lay a wreath at the British Normandy Memorial which my five year old grandson made all on his own.
Spencer Gore later took Gilman’s house and the Museum has three of his Letchworth paintings. They evoke the same peaceful rural life that inspired Ratcliffe, a world away for the gritty urban scenes which were the usual subject of the Camden Towners. Do go if you can: well worth the trip!
November 1, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Spencer Gore later took Gilman’s house and the Museum has three of his Letchworth paintings. They evoke the same peaceful rural life that inspired Ratcliffe, a world away for the gritty urban scenes which were the usual subject of the Camden Towners. Do go if you can: well worth the trip!
Bravo to North Herts Museum for a lovely small show on William Ratcliffe, a Letchworth Gdn City artist who became a first rate Camden Town painter under the influence of his neighbour Harold Gilman. His quiet interiors are ravishing but he sold few, and survived on porridge or boiled onions! 1/2
November 1, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Bravo to North Herts Museum for a lovely small show on William Ratcliffe, a Letchworth Gdn City artist who became a first rate Camden Town painter under the influence of his neighbour Harold Gilman. His quiet interiors are ravishing but he sold few, and survived on porridge or boiled onions! 1/2
It’s time to put the spotlight back on Russia’s relentless war of attrition against #Ukraine. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada spoke powerfully to UK parliamentarians today about the threat Russia poses to all European states. Next to him, to reinforce the message, was a Shahed 136 killer drone.
October 15, 2025 at 10:53 AM
It’s time to put the spotlight back on Russia’s relentless war of attrition against #Ukraine. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada spoke powerfully to UK parliamentarians today about the threat Russia poses to all European states. Next to him, to reinforce the message, was a Shahed 136 killer drone.
Couldn’t resist this one!
October 11, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Couldn’t resist this one!
Unusually I disagree with this @TheEconomist leader on Gaza. Trump’s plan is NOT a ‘radically different vision from the moribund approach under Oslo’. Indeed one of the most striking things about the 20 points is that they move the US towards the classic Oslo vision of the end-state 1/3
October 10, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Unusually I disagree with this @TheEconomist leader on Gaza. Trump’s plan is NOT a ‘radically different vision from the moribund approach under Oslo’. Indeed one of the most striking things about the 20 points is that they move the US towards the classic Oslo vision of the end-state 1/3
Gearing up for BBCr4 Today Programme on where the State Visit leaves us on Ukraine and Israel/Gaza. How far did the rosy glow of Royal hospitality affect discussions on the tough issues? Give us a listen at 0712
September 19, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Gearing up for BBCr4 Today Programme on where the State Visit leaves us on Ukraine and Israel/Gaza. How far did the rosy glow of Royal hospitality affect discussions on the tough issues? Give us a listen at 0712
When Brig Mallaby was ordered to take some forces to Sumatra to quell an insurgency, Maurice expected to go too. But Mallaby decided he wouldn’t need his Signals Section. So Maurice stayed behind in Malaya for the surrender ceremony. Mallaby was murdered in an ambush by Indonesian insurgents. 9/11
August 20, 2025 at 3:22 PM
When Brig Mallaby was ordered to take some forces to Sumatra to quell an insurgency, Maurice expected to go too. But Mallaby decided he wouldn’t need his Signals Section. So Maurice stayed behind in Malaya for the surrender ceremony. Mallaby was murdered in an ambush by Indonesian insurgents. 9/11
Maurice’s brief was to set up the Brigadier’s Assault Signals Section. While they were at sea en route for Malaya in July 45 the Atom bombs were dropped and Japan surrendered. Op Zipper went ahead as an unopposed landing. Maurice worked closely with Mallaby, who he admired. 8/11
August 20, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Maurice’s brief was to set up the Brigadier’s Assault Signals Section. While they were at sea en route for Malaya in July 45 the Atom bombs were dropped and Japan surrendered. Op Zipper went ahead as an unopposed landing. Maurice worked closely with Mallaby, who he admired. 8/11
My father Maurice was 5 years younger than Desmond, and left Sherborne in 1943. He went into the Royal Signals and was posted to Burma as a Wireless Officer in 36 Div under General Festing. He never said much about his wartime experience but he must have arrived in early 1945. 6/11
August 20, 2025 at 3:08 PM
My father Maurice was 5 years younger than Desmond, and left Sherborne in 1943. He went into the Royal Signals and was posted to Burma as a Wireless Officer in 36 Div under General Festing. He never said much about his wartime experience but he must have arrived in early 1945. 6/11
The condolence letters from Desmond’s friends show him to have been popular and resourceful. Of course he might well not have survived the war. The fighting was intense (the 1/6 won two VCs the same day in 1944) and the toll on junior officers very high. But I would have liked to known Desmond. 5/11
August 20, 2025 at 3:06 PM
The condolence letters from Desmond’s friends show him to have been popular and resourceful. Of course he might well not have survived the war. The fighting was intense (the 1/6 won two VCs the same day in 1944) and the toll on junior officers very high. But I would have liked to known Desmond. 5/11
The troops were preparing for the invasion of Burma. But Desmond was killed when a night training exercise went wrong. He’s buried in St Mary’s CWGC cemetery in Madras: I’m the only family member to have visited the grave. The 6th Gurkhas fought throughout the Burma campaign. 4/9
August 20, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The troops were preparing for the invasion of Burma. But Desmond was killed when a night training exercise went wrong. He’s buried in St Mary’s CWGC cemetery in Madras: I’m the only family member to have visited the grave. The 6th Gurkhas fought throughout the Burma campaign. 4/9
Desmond went from Sherborne and Sandhurst to India in 1939. Aged 19, he joined 1st Btn 6 Gurkha Rifles, a unit which had launched the careers of Bill Slim, who led 14th Army to victory in Burma and finished Field Marshal, and one of his outstanding Generals, ‘Punch’ Cowan. 2/11
August 20, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Desmond went from Sherborne and Sandhurst to India in 1939. Aged 19, he joined 1st Btn 6 Gurkha Rifles, a unit which had launched the careers of Bill Slim, who led 14th Army to victory in Burma and finished Field Marshal, and one of his outstanding Generals, ‘Punch’ Cowan. 2/11
A memory for #VJDay80 of two brothers whose fates were bound up with the Burma war. They were born into an Indian Army family: their father Leslie retired as Col of the 2nd Btn XIX Hyderabad Regiment in 1937. The boys, Desmond and Maurice, were formatted for the same career. 1/11
August 20, 2025 at 2:50 PM
A memory for #VJDay80 of two brothers whose fates were bound up with the Burma war. They were born into an Indian Army family: their father Leslie retired as Col of the 2nd Btn XIX Hyderabad Regiment in 1937. The boys, Desmond and Maurice, were formatted for the same career. 1/11
It will be on display at the British Museum from Sept 26 to May 27 while the 7th century Sutton Hoo hoard, 20 of the 12th century Lewis Chessmen and other treasures from the BM will go to Caen and Rouen. And the 1000th birthday of a certain William is coming up. Vive l’entente amicale! End
July 11, 2025 at 12:18 PM
It will be on display at the British Museum from Sept 26 to May 27 while the 7th century Sutton Hoo hoard, 20 of the 12th century Lewis Chessmen and other treasures from the BM will go to Caen and Rouen. And the 1000th birthday of a certain William is coming up. Vive l’entente amicale! End
This landmark week also combined a Summit and State Visit, bringing into play the pageantry and the King’s friendship with the President. And what better way to celebrate our shared history than to bring back to UK for the first time in 900+ years the amazing Bayeux Tapestry? 7/8
July 11, 2025 at 12:14 PM
This landmark week also combined a Summit and State Visit, bringing into play the pageantry and the King’s friendship with the President. And what better way to celebrate our shared history than to bring back to UK for the first time in 900+ years the amazing Bayeux Tapestry? 7/8
In return the British Museum will lend some of their most precious treasures including the Sutton Hoo hoard and some Lewis chessmen to museums in Caen and Rouen. These loans will coincide with the 1000th anniversary of William the Conqueror’s birth. A moment to celebrate x-Channel cultural links!
July 8, 2025 at 8:40 PM
In return the British Museum will lend some of their most precious treasures including the Sutton Hoo hoard and some Lewis chessmen to museums in Caen and Rouen. These loans will coincide with the 1000th anniversary of William the Conqueror’s birth. A moment to celebrate x-Channel cultural links!
Probably made in Canterbury in the decade after 1066, the work brings vividly to life not just the battle of Hastings, but daily life: what people wore, how they cooked, their ships and buildings. It speaks directly to children since it’s like reading a 70 metre comic strip. 2/
July 8, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Probably made in Canterbury in the decade after 1066, the work brings vividly to life not just the battle of Hastings, but daily life: what people wore, how they cooked, their ships and buildings. It speaks directly to children since it’s like reading a 70 metre comic strip. 2/
Good to be in Copenhagen for the first meeting of Chairs of European Affairs Committees under the Danish EU Presidency @eu2025dk. Meeting in the Folketing carries strong echoes of Borgen, though our proceedings may not be quite so dramatic or glamorous!
July 4, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Good to be in Copenhagen for the first meeting of Chairs of European Affairs Committees under the Danish EU Presidency @eu2025dk. Meeting in the Folketing carries strong echoes of Borgen, though our proceedings may not be quite so dramatic or glamorous!
Calling historical sleuths! I’m finishing a book, Peace Makers, on the men and women of the Foreign Office in WWII. In the FCDO archives, there is this 1941 photo labelled ‘Anthony Eden’s Personal Private Secretary’. My source who worked in Eden’s office from 1943 doesn’t recognise her. Who is she?
June 20, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Calling historical sleuths! I’m finishing a book, Peace Makers, on the men and women of the Foreign Office in WWII. In the FCDO archives, there is this 1941 photo labelled ‘Anthony Eden’s Personal Private Secretary’. My source who worked in Eden’s office from 1943 doesn’t recognise her. Who is she?
F-DABV was flying from Rabat to Tunis via Palma when it was ordered by French controllers to land at Algiers or be shot down. It was carrying a delegation from the Front de Libération National (FLN) who were locked in an independence struggle with the 🇫🇷 colonial authorities./
June 1, 2025 at 11:50 AM
F-DABV was flying from Rabat to Tunis via Palma when it was ordered by French controllers to land at Algiers or be shot down. It was carrying a delegation from the Front de Libération National (FLN) who were locked in an independence struggle with the 🇫🇷 colonial authorities./