Allied Soldiers work at cleaning up military headstones

Monday 16 July 2018

Unity has been on display in Guernsey as German and British soldiers arrived in the island to clean headstones at the Fort George German military cemetery.

Here until the 20th July, the soldiers from the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps spent last week pressure washing and repairing the headstones.

This is the first time since the Occupation that uniformed German soldiers have been in the island. 

Team leader Captain Erik W. said there had been five German and two British soldiers in the island, and more rotating through this week. This was away from their normal duties, he said.

“Usually our normal job is to be ready to deploy all over the world. We are taking the chance to learn about the history of Guernsey, the war and the local population. We have been made very welcome by the people of Guernsey. We are planning a trip to Sark, and are hoping some veterans will be joining us. 

“In this heat, this is hard work – especially when you are used to working in an office. We are the largest contingent of German soldiers in the UK. We are always looking to do things for the local environment we are serving in. And why Guernsey? Because the Channel Islands were the only bits of British soil to have been occupied in World War Two.

“Guernsey is like a small paradise, the beaches are everywhere and really good. We have also enjoyed the sea food.”

There are both British and German soldiers buried in the cemetery. 

The trip was orgainsed by the Guernsey War Graves Commission and supported by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It will culminate in a special wreath laying ceremony on Wednesday.