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An official delegation from Guernsey recently visited the town of Masnieres, near Cambrai in northern France to commemorate the 107th anniversary of the Battle of La Rue Verte and the engagement of the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry during WWI.
The trip was organised by the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Charitable Trust which was founded in 2016 by local historian Chris Oliver and retired Lt Col Colin Vaudin.
The official delegation representing Guernsey, included His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, the Bailiff Sir Richard McMahon, the Dean of Guernsey Tim Barker, President of Education, Sport & Culture, Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen and Chris Nicolle, St Peter Port Douzaine, as well as members of the Guernsey & Sark Royal British Legions and others from Guernsey supporting the Trust.
The people of Masnieres, turned out in force for a parade which included local school children, the local band and standard bearers from the town, surrounding areas, and the Bailiwick on 1st December.
Wreaths were laid by the official Bailiwick delegation and French dignitaries from the town and national government.
Mr Oliver said: “The action at Masnieres for three cold days in late 1917 by the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry has been described as Guernsey’s Finest Hour. The RGLI were a force of more than 1,000 Guernsey men, including those from Alderney and Sark. They sustained more than 453 casualties killed, missing or wounded holding La Rue Verte in the town and earned the respect of their foes in the German army as a result of the battle.
"The aims of the Trust ensure that we remember the valour and sacrifice of the RGLI, and through that the impact WWI had on the island, also to provide education about the period and also to develop strong cultural ties with France. This is currently done by developing our student exchange programme with the students from Masnieres and the surrounding area, which we have been running with Blanchelande College for a number of years. Next year we hope to extend the programme with the addition of students from St Sampsons High School.”
The Trust would welcome any information that islanders have about relatives in the RGLI which can be included as part of an educational programme about the regiment.
For more information on the RGLI visit: rgli.org or email chris@rgli.org
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