British Legion president awarded German medal
THE president of Guernsey’s branch of the Royal British Legion has been awarded the unified armed forces of Germany’s Silver Cross of Honour for his efforts in strengthening the relationship between Germany and Britain.
Bob Place was presented with the Ehrenzeichen der Bundeswehr in Silber at a special ceremony at Government House on Remembrance Day after receiving an unexpected invitation: ‘It was a complete surprise,’ said Major Place.
Colonel Jon Jakschik, German senior national representative at the Allied Rapid Response Corps headquarters, had hoped to be able to present the medal in person but was unable to do so due to the pandemic restrictions.
Instead, the presentation was carried out by the Honorary German Consul in Guernsey, Chris Betley.
In his letter of citation, Col. Jakschik said the major lesson that needed to be learned from the last world war was to build relationships between foreign countries and between their people, in this case Germany and Great Britain.
‘Your engagement, your enthusiasm, your powerfulness, Bob, in initiating and strengthening the British-German relationship is amazing, is admirable,’ he wrote.
‘And having in mind the history of Guernsey and the years of the German Occupation of your island, it makes what you are doing even more magnificent.’
Mr Place said that he had worked with the German Army in one capacity or another for some 58 years: ‘I appreciate that I have a different perspective from those who were either here or evacuated during 1940-1945,’ he said.
‘I have a lot of time and respect for the Germans as soldiers and friends and I love the people of Guernsey, so I hope that the gradual and inevitable process of reconciliation comes sooner rather than later.’
