Bailiwick’s fallen remembered at Sunken Gardens service
A RECORD number of wreaths were laid at yesterday’s annual parade and remembrance service at the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Memorial in the Sunken Gardens.
For the first time, all the islands whose sons fought in the RGLI were included among 13 wreaths laid to commemorate the 106th anniversary of the Battle of Les Rues Vertes in Masnieres, at which Bailiwick soldiers successfully defended the British line against a huge German counter-attack following the Battle of Cambrai.
It was the RGLI’s first substantial battle, held between 30 November and 2 December 1917.
‘British regiments either side gave way and Guernsey held the line and prevented the Germans breaking through, with horrendous losses,’ said Chris Oliver, chairman of the RGLI Charitable Trust.
‘Just before Christmas, there were over 300 letters and telegrams coming to families to say they had lost loved ones to the war effort.’
The service was led by the Dean, The Very Rev. Tim Barker. It included The Last Post, two minutes’ silence, The Exhortation read by Mr Oliver, an extract of the poem ‘For the Fallen’ written by Laurence Binyon, published in 1914, and a blessing read in French.
Those present included the Lt-Governor, the Bailiff, senior States members, a representative of the people of France, members of the Royal British Legion and parish officials from St Peter Port, which has been twinned with Masnieres since 2019.
‘Six years ago, a group of us went to Masnieres for the unveiling of the plaque there which was a very significant moment on the centenary of the battle of the RGLI,’ said the Dean.
‘It is good that every year since then we have gathered here in the Sunken Gardens to commemorate and remember the people from Guernsey who went to serve in the RGLI.’
At the same time as the service was held in Guernsey, wreaths were laid at the RGLI memorial at Les Rues Vertes, including by representatives who had travelled from Guernsey and attended the event alongside exchange students from France who visit the island each year, the mayor of Masnieres and a deputation from the National Assembly in Paris.
The RGLI has started a new project to deepen educational and cultural links between Guernsey and Masnieres, and is now looking to buy a small derelict cottage near the memorial in Masnieres, refurbish it and turn it into an educational centre.
‘We’re taking all those sad events and turning them into something really positive,’ Mr Oliver said.
