Guernsey Represented at WW1 Commemoration

Thursday 09 August 2018

Guernsey was represented at the centenary anniversary of The Battle of Amiens yesterday.

The battle was a decisive moment in the First World War, beginning what became known as the hundred days offensive – the sustained Allied counterattack which broke the military stalemate on the Western Front and helped bring the conflict to a close.

The German general Ludendoff described the first day of the battle as “the black day of the German army”. By 13 August the advance had penetrated up to 11 miles. 

Education, Sport & Culture Committee Vice President Richard Graham represented the island at the commemoration service at Amiens Cathedral, and said it was an honour to do so. 

“The Battle was one of the most important points in the war and, though they did not know it at the time, those who fought in this battle were just a few months away from securing peace in Europe. The immensely moving ceremony in the stunning Amiens cathedral was an important reminder of all that we owe to those brave individuals who sacrificed so much during the conflict, including the Guernseymen who formed part of the Allied effort both in this battle and throughout the war.” 

The service was hosted by the UK Government in partnership with the Governments of Australia, Canada, France and the USA. Senator Ian Gorst, External Relations Minister in Jersey, and Howard Quayle MHK, Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, represented the other Crown Dependencies at the event, which was attended by the Duke of Cambridge and the Prime Minister as well as families of some of those who served in the battle.  

Although the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry had been withdrawn from front-line service following the Battle of the Lys, Guernsey-born men continued to serve with other regiments and by the time of the Battle of Amiens there were also a considerable number of women performing nursing, ambulance- driving and other duties behind the front. Many Guernsey-born men were also serving with Canadian, Australian or French regiments. Some 19 local men died in France in August 1918; 3 were likely in the course of this battle.