White Rock ceremony to remember air raid victims
ISLANDERS who lost their lives in an air raid 78 years ago were remembered at a ceremony at the White Rock.
Thirty-four people died and nearly 100 were injured in a devastating air raid on the harbour by German aircraft on 28 June 1940.
Channel Islands Occupation Society (Guernsey) president Phil Martin led a small gathering of 14 people on Thursday evening.
Wreaths were laid by the plaque at the White Rock and a minute’s silence was held at 7.05pm.
‘We did this for the first time eight years ago and it has got slightly bigger every year,’ said Mr Martin.
The society also holds a ceremony every year on Armistice Day.
Mr Martin said it was important to commemorate the tragic event and make sure that the memory of those affected lives on.
‘There was a lady there whose uncle was killed in that air raid and last year we had a couple of relatives as well. But as the years go on there aren’t as many people who remember that air raid, they would need to be in their 80s or older.’
For that reason, the society is reliant on information in its archives.
The air raid started at around 6.45pm and finished around 45 minutes later.
St Peter Port douzaine was represented by senior constable Dennis Le Moignan, who laid a wreath.
