Hundreds pay respects to the fallen

A procession of cadets, war veterans and service organisations paraded from the Town Arsenal to the top of Smith Street where the service began.

Among the parade were the Guernsey Sea Cadet Corps, the Elizabeth College Combined Cadet Force, the Army Cadet Force, and the St John Ambulance cadets.

Absent from last year’s service were the Chelsea Pensioners, retired soldiers of the British Army, who this year marched in the parade and laid a wreath.

‘On behalf of the Royal British Legion we today had the honour of laying a wreath at the memorial,’ said Mike Davies and John Griffiths.

‘It is a great honour to be immersed in the event and to remember all of the veterans who gave up so much. We are just a small part of it.’

Sixty wreaths of poppies were placed at the memorial by organisations and groups in the island and wreath-layers took a moment in silent tribute to remember all those who had their lives sacrificed at the expense of war.

Lt-Governor Lt General Richard Cripwell commenced the wreath-laying and was followed by Bailiff Richard McMahon.

For Eamonn Finnerty of the Catenians Association, it was his first time being involved in the ceremony, as he had recently taken on the president role.

‘It was a huge privilege to lay a wreath and to honour and thank those people who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. I am so grateful and I hope this tradition carries on,’ he said.

The emergency services each laid wreaths in solidarity, and Mildred Sarre from St John Ambulance, who has retired from the service but is still involved in ceremonies, was joined by ambulance cadet, Matilda Shell, 15, and St John badger Alicia Cathcart, 8.

‘Those who died gave their lives to save us and it is only right that at St John we pay our respects,’ she said.

‘It is great to get the youngsters involved as well, and to continue the legacy.’