Our grandfather and his brother joined up in 1914. Our grandad was Arthur Andrew Sherpherd (boxer shepherd) 7th Bat Royal West Kents, his brothers name Henry.
They were involved in many area of conflict. But the most significant was on the 13/14 July 1916 when they went into Trones Wood near this house and just a couple of hundred survivors.
Boxer survives intact but Henry lost a leg. They both lived into old age.
There is a photograph in this dinning room of British and German soldiers on the 19th July in Bernafay behind this house, in the photograph the man third from the right (at the back) was positively identified by our father as Boxer shepherd (his dad).
We also knew he acted as a Stretcher Bearer .
Christine made us very welcome, comfortable. We enjoyed her company. The visit was more educator than we imagined and showed how brutal this war was with such terrible losses of so many young men on all sides.
Thomas, William, Richard . UK
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Thank you so much Christin, it way great, you are a lovely lady. A memorable and emotionale time, following dads, grandads and great grandads footsteps. Dad wounded 5 times won military medal at Devil Wood.
R. Family - London
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Thank you very much for the beaut stay is your dwellings. A beautiful palce to visit and meet people from different arts of the world. Thank you once again, may God bless you all. Regards.
Raph & Anna - Australia
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My grand father was 34 when he arrived en France in 1914. As part of the BEF. He was wounded in "La Bassée" and returned to England. My nan sat by his bedside for 5 days but happily he survived to see xmas 1914 whereas so so many did not. My mother was born december 1915. My family are one of the lucky ones where others where less fortuned. Mum was named Bessie after "La Bassée" and returning here makes me even more grateful for so many other families never had the chance of a life. Christine & Jean Pierre thank you once again for everything.
Lynn & Frank - Essex UK
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The second visit for Rachel, David and Hayden but first time for Andrew and Hamish.
Once again we have been to see where Cecil Barnes fought and was wounded and where John Gibson fought and died.
Another very moving visit to this beautiful part of France.
Thank you Christine for your hospitality.
Rachel B . Australia.
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Dear Christine,
Thank you for a lovely 2 days at your B&B in Bernafay Wood.
We have thoroughly explored all around and my head is buzzing with all the photos and stories and memories of millions of young men all caught up in this tragedy that untolded in there fields and woods all around us.
All the best wishes are to you and your family.
Joelle, Chris and George C . UK
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Warm and hospital, Christine is such a lovely lady, she makes one feel that they have never left home. If they have, they have found a better one.
Gez W . UK
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I am very pleased to have returned and happy to see Jean-Pierre and Christine so well.
The wind has been cold and bitter. The hospitality warm and friendly.
I look forward to my next visit.
Thank you both and Best wishes.
Tony S. UK
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Thank you for all your asistance, your excellent recommandations and your conversation. We've happy we stayed here.
Michael and Sharon W - Ohio USA
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Un site de mémoire préservé avec passion par des hôtes plein de gentillesse et de disponibilité, dans un cadre merveilleux pour des amoureux de la nature à l'état pur. Le chant des oiseaux tout autour de cette ancienne gare restaurée : tout un symbole... On reviendra, c'est certain ! Merci encore à nos hôtes pour leur accueil.
Guy et Catherine - Belgique
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Vielen Dank für die Warmherzige Aufnahme i Ihrem Haus. Wir haben uns sehr wohl Gefühlt.
J. H. aus Berlin - Allemagne
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Dzieki za ciepee przijecieasoscinnox. Fantastyczne miedsce do zwiedzania pol bitewnych sommy. I niefycuo. No i nie mialem zeszcze okazji spac w niejscu. Grzie moina kupic stuchawki.
Bartlomeij S.. - Krakow Pologne.
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We have had a great weekend. It was amazing to follow in the footsteps of our relatives who were here in 1916. I think we enjoyed our stay here more than they did. Thank you for your hospitality and beautiful country side
David R. - East Surrey UK
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Christine and JP. Thanks for another fantastic stay; such a perfect setting and great access to everything around ! We'll be back in the Spring; see you around March / April time be in touch soon.
Ruth, Hayden and Rose C. - UK
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We had a wonderful stay. Thank You. Found the grave of great uncle Walter ALLEN 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Rgt at Auchonvillers, KIA 25/06/16. Returned to our family again. Love the location. Hope to visit again soon !
Peter & Phil C. Birmingham UK
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Christine, Jean Pierre
Thank you for providing us with a fantastic place for our stay in Picardie. I wish it has been a longer one, as there is so mush more to see that our 3 days could not provide the time for. We both wish you all the best + Thanks again for your help + hospitality (i wish my french was better to say thanks properly !!) Regards,
Steve S. & Wendy P. - Stawell Australia
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Nous connaissons la chaleur des îles, nous avons découvert la chaleur de votre accueil. Merci pur votre disponibilité et votre gentillesse. Notre séjour en métropole a fort bien commercé.
Anne et Thierry B. La Réunion
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In memory of great uncle 2nd Lt Simon Fraser who died at Bullecourt 11-5-1917 and who as no know grave. Simon was hero at Fromelles. July 19th 1916 and is reputed carrying a wounded soldier "The Cobbers Statue" Fromelles and also at the shine of Remembrance Melbourne.
Max & Maria C. Australia
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To visit my fathers trench line (skyline) trench 01/07/16 wounded that day then returned to front aug 20th 1916 wounded then sent home. I am his son.
Mike C. Berks UK
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Wonderful B&B close to everything. Came all the way from South Africa only to find Delville Wood closed. However the rest made up for it. Thanks Christine.
Wayne, Gillian & Courteney M. - Durban South Africa
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Thank you for taking care of us so well in your nicely restored house and for all the informations we got about the history of the area
Inger & Liss B. - Sweden
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Warm hospitality, knowledgeable assistance and such pleasant surroundings. Bernafay Wood is such a beautiful place and Montauban and Bernafay Wood Cemetery such a peaceful place for my Great Uncle to rest. 3585 William Raymond CHATWIN 15th BN AIF.
Thank you Christine and Jean-Pierre
Dale C. & Annette S - Australia
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C'est la fraternité qui fait rétrécir les horreurs de la guerre = Brotherhood makes the horrors of war fade. Thank you for welcoming a new generation of Aussies.
Brian E. - Springwood - Australia
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Fabulous location. Great hospitality. A setting area to a visit to the Somme to track down the movements of the Moone brothers from Rio.
Geoff C. - Rio de Janero - Brazil
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Fantastic atmosphere and very friendly. Try the "jam guessing" competition ! ANZAC DAY
Bob C. - Copenhague - Denmark
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A haven of peace, great hospitality. Ideal base to visit all the attractions of the area. I will spread the word in N.Z. "Kia-Ora" (Thank you in Maori)
Paul D. - Christchurch - New Zeland
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We're so glad to have spent time in your beautiful country side and really enjoyed your hospitality. We look forward to coming back !
Craig and Sandy S. - Pietermaritzburg - KZN - RSA
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A wonderful B&B - Thank you for such a warm and friendly welcome - Bernafay has always been a name I have known as my grandmother called her home "Bernafay" in memory of her husband Ernest who is buried in the cemetery nearby.
(To see during WW1)
Errol, Roslyn, David T - Sydney - Australia
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Bernafay Wood hat uns Dank Paul Reed gefunden and wir hätten kaum gröBeres glück haben können was lage, atmosphäre und den freundlichen service durch Christine (merci beaucoup!) angeht. Kaun vorstellbar, noch einmal in andeven establissement abzusteigen.
Alexander F. - Munster - Allemagne
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A wonderful hotess and family who greet you every day so warmly. The "old station" is a wonderful B&B located centrally to all the battlefields that the British Empire fought on 1914-1918. Thank you for a memorable stay ... and be good Chipie !
Stephen K. N.- Saanichton - Canada
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantery (PPCLI)
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A Christine, Jean-Pierre, Céline and Amélie con affetto e simpatie. Spero di tornare presto a visitarvi in questo posto davvero incantevoli
Alberto M. - Napoli - Italy
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Moje prvo iskustvo u Somme-u i zavrôih ovdje. hvala na prekrasnon iskustvu.
My first time in the Some and I end up here . What a beautiful way to start. Thank you for the lovely experience. Will be back
Jeff & Elizabeta P - Zagreb - Croatia
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My Grandfather served in the Royal Garnison Artillery at Montauban and Delville Wood. So he would have known the station. It Has meant a lot to me to stay here and your friendly hospitality has made sit enjoyable in every way.
Rob C. - Whittlesford - England
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This has been quiet an extraordinary and sentimental visit for us. Jean Pierre and Christine have been very kind and we have been most comfortable here. My father fought in this wood of which he wrote a poem which we will send to our hosts who might wish to put it up in the wall. The story behind my father and Bernafay Wood is the last entry in the other book. May the good lord bless you and christine and Jean-Pierre as the has blessed us over the years (John 3v16).
Martin and Ann O. - Wimborne - England
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What a beautiful and tranquil spot considering all that went before ninety odd years ago. We are tracing the footsteps of my uncle Walter William Clayton 2nd btn Royal berks regt.
Mike and Rene C - Sutton - England
