Blue plaque recognises our first female deputy
About 150 people attended a property at St Julian’s Avenue on Wednesday afternoon for the unveiling of Guernsey’s latest blue plaque.
Marie Randall MBE was recognised with the thirteenth blue plaque, which was unveiled at 1, St Julian’s, where she lived in front of the Vauxlaurens Brewery site. Deputies, students and members of the public gathered at the site for a small ceremony.
‘Marie Randall was nominated by Women in Public Life and it was such a wonderful nomination that the decision was unanimous,’ said Helen Glencross, head of heritage services at the States, who leads the blue plaque initiative.
‘There has been a huge amount of interest in Marie and her story.’
Women in Public Life chairwoman Shelaine Green said that inspiration for the nomination came from a local female historian.
‘Another important woman in the story of this plaque is local historian Rose-Marie Crossan,’ she said.
‘Her book, A Women’s History of Guernsey, 1850s-1950s, was our inspiration for putting forward Marie’s name for this plaque. Particularly there is a brilliant chapter on the representation of women in voting and politically.’
The plaque was unveiled by Deputy Bailiff Jessica Roland.
While known as Marie to most, Miss Randall was known as Auntie Tottie to her family. Several family members attended the ceremony, including great great niece Michelle Scott, who brought along a briefcase, with Miss Randall's initials on, which a family member had.
Although it was empty when it was found, Ms Scott brought it along to the ceremony in case anyone had any insight into it.
The blue plaque scheme recognises people who have made an important contribution to the Bailiwick and the wider world.
Marie Randall was 42 when she was elected in 1924 as a deputy for St Peter Port. She was the first woman to ever be elected to the States and served for 31 years. For 24 of those years she was the only female deputy.
She was a member of numerous States committees and was awarded an MBE in 1954. Marie’s grandfather, father and brother were brewers at family firm RW Randall. During the First World War, Marie volunteered as a nurse with the Voluntary Aid Detachment, serving in Guernsey, the UK, France, Belgium and Holland.
She stayed in the island during World War Two.
