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The importance of ongoing events to commemorate the tragedies of the Second World War has been highlighted this week with social media being used to share information about a British woman's deceased relative through the help of a local amateur historian.
This year marks 80 years since the sinking of HMS Charybdis and Limbourne with the loss of more than 500 lives.
The Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel perished when their ships were bombed by the German forces in 1943.
Of the hundreds of people who died at sea, 21 bodies washed ashore in Guernsey.
Pictured: An image of HMS Charybdis which was on display at Castle Cornet.
Defying the cccupying forces of the day, the Guernsey population turned out in their thousands to attend a mass funeral for the 21, who were buried at the Foulon Cemetery with full military honours.
Although the funeral service was undertaken by the occupying forces, the local population was banned from attending. It was estimated that around 5,000 went in defiance of that ban - around a quarter of the island's population during the Occupation.
This weekend, the annual service of commemoration will be held at the Foulon Cemetery, at the Charybdis grave site.
Events have been held every year since 1947.
Pictured: The Charybdis and Limbourne commemorations are arranged locally.
The service tomorrow at 15:00 will be attended by His Excellency the Lt Governor and the Bailiff, who will lay wreaths on behalf of the nation.
Prior to the service, a parade will march from the Ladies College to the Foulon Cemetery, departing at 14:35.
All of the island's emergency services and veterans’ associations will be among those represented.
Family members of those lost at sea will be among the attendees, with any direct 'next of kin' expected to be making their final trip to the island due to their ages.
Chris Welsby is the President of the Guernsey Association of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Merchant Navy.
He said this weekend's event is an "opportunity to demonstrate the true meaning of this remembrance service here in Guernsey, which is the coming together of a community while under the restrictions of an occupying force.
"This in some way could be likened to the recent restrictions we have all endured these past years throughout Covid-19."
The enduring impact of the losses suffered during WWII and the tragedies of Charybdis and Limbourne in particular was highlighted on X this week when a woman, believed to be living in England posted a video of herself remembering her uncle - 80 years after his death.
Nick Le Huray - an amateur historian who frequently researches and attends events regarding WWII - and other local members of the #chog (the informal name used by Guernsey users of X) responded to her video with information about the burial site at Le Foulon, and offering to share photographs with her of her uncle's potential resting place.
Other locals offered information on where the woman can verify information about the tragedies and the ongoing commemorations of the loss of life.
Charybdis survivor braves a return to the water
Busy weekend planned to mark Charybdis and Limbourne tragedies
Loss of WWII vessels remembered this weekend
Annual memorial parade and service today
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