First wartime commando raid remembered

A MEMORIAL stone to mark the 70th anniversary of the first commando landing in Guernsey was unveiled by the local soldier's former wife and Bailiff Sir Geoffrey Rowland yesterday evening at Icart.

It commemorates Hubert Nicolle, of the Royal Hampshire Regiment, who came ashore on 8 July 1940, just eight days after the start of the German Occupation.

A submarine from Plymouth dropped him two miles offshore in a canoe at midnight. He arrived at Le Jaonnet Bay, St Martin's, after capsizing, and in soaking wet clothes made his way up the cliffs on his mission to reconnoitre enemy defences.

His former wife, Barbara Gaiger, had the idea for a memorial stone a year ago and last night stood surrounded by friends and family as she unveiled it. She married Mr Nicolle in 1948 and was with him for more than 50 years. They had two children, Steven and Jane.

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