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A First World War memorial will be reinstated at the bottom of Smith Street in October. St Peter Port Douzenier Keith Pike wanted the shrine reinstated in its original place as part of the parish’s commemoration to honour the centenary of the start of the conflict.
A donation from the Sure Community Foundation has now ensured that Mr Pike has raised enough money to cover the cost of memorial but more funds are needed to produce a commemorative booklet which will include a photo of some of the men listed as well as their rank, regiment, and a link to the Great War website for more information.
‘I am overwhelmed at how quickly the money has been raised. Donations have come from individuals and businesses and it’s wonderful that so many people felt that this important piece of history should be reinstated as a way of us remembering and thanking so many islanders for the sacrifice they made,’ said Mr Pike.
The original shrine, which measured six foot by five foot, was first installed in January 1917 and was then enlarged to a triptych in February 1920 with the193 names of islanders who lost their lives inscribed below a Guernsey crest.
The shrine, which was made of zinc and walnut, remained in place until 1955. When the building was repainted, the memorial was removed and never replaced. A replica was made in 2000 by Le Riches and it now hangs in Waitrose but Mr Pike wanted it to returned to its original location and launched a fundraising campaign.
Donations have come in from companies and individuals as well as relatives of the men listed on the memorial, who were all St Peter Port parishioners and were some of the nearly 1,500 Guernsey men killed in World War I. Money collected at two concerts in Candie Gardens was also donated by the Town Centre Partnership.
‘No matter how big the donation, every penny helped. It’s been a real community effort and I and so many others are looking forward to seeing the memorial back in its rightful place,’ he said.
Mr Pike is currently in discussion with the planners over the final details of the memorial which will be made of acrylic with the names inscribed onto a stainless steel panel. The Lieutenant-Governor has agreed to unveil it at the end of October following in the tradition of Sir Reginald Hart, who as Lieutenant-Governor, unveiled the original memorial in January 1917.
Karen Jagger, chair of the Sure Community Foundation, said the memorial was a worthy recipient.
‘This was the first time the Sure Community Foundation had given money to a fundraising appeal of this kind but there was overwhelming support and we’re delighted that we can help Keith in his efforts,’ said Ms Jagger. ‘As a company which can trace its links to the island back more than 100 years, it is more than likely than some of our team either lost their lives in World War I or who lost relatives and so it’s our privilege to play a very small part in ensuring there is a permanent memory to them.’
