As well as representing the island's governments, Deputy St Pier, the President of Guernsey's Policy & Resources Committee is representing all residents of the Bailiwick, to honour those who fought and died in both World Wars and other conflicts. He'll be joined by representatives from Jersey, the Isle of Man and the United Kingdom’s Overseas Territories.

The Crown Dependencies and the other Overseas Territories were previously recognised during the ceremony by the wreath laid on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen.

The Bailiff Sir Richard Collas said this is a welcome change;

“I am pleased that a representative of the Bailiwick of Guernsey has been invited this year to lay a separate wreath at the Cenotaph to commemorate the men and women from our islands who served during the two World Wars and other conflicts. It recognises our special status and the ultimate sacrifice which so many men and women from the Bailiwick have made over the years in defending the British Isles.

“I wish to remind islanders that as usual there will be a Remembrance Service at the Island War Memorial in St Peter Port. I hope that many islanders will take the opportunity to attend to remember and give thanks for those who have given their lives in the cause of peace and who also, even today, continue to make the supreme sacrifice in the cause of world peace.”

Pictured: Deputy Gavin St Pier. 

Deputy St Pier said he will be proud to represent us.

“It is an honour for the Bailiwick of Guernsey, which has been invited for the first time, to lay a separate wreath at the Cenotaph to commemorate the men and women, including those from our islands, who made sacrifices during the two World Wars and other conflicts, and it is an enormous privilege for me to represent the people and governments of the islands of Guernsey, Sark and Alderney at this service.

“It is appropriate that the Bailiwick has been invited to have its own representation at this service. In part it reflects the greater depth of understanding of our unique status, history and ancient relationship with the Crown, which of course began 500 years before the formation of the United Kingdom. We have increased our profile in the international sphere and this is reflected too at the national level.

“Remembrance Sunday is an important day for all the islands of the Bailiwick and has long been commemorated by the laying of wreaths at our memorials to local service women and men. This invitation to take part in the national service recognises the contribution and sacrifice of the service personnel from the Bailiwick of Guernsey who stood alongside the rest of the British family in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, supported by their families, to protect the freedoms that we areprivileged to enjoy.”

Pictured: William Tate. 

President of the States of Alderney, Mr William Tate, said;

“On Sunday the people of Alderney will again commemorate those who gave their lives for their country, as they always do. They do so as part of a wider British family and welcome the opportunity to be represented at the National Remembrance Service.”

Conseiller Peter La Trobe-Bateman, President of the Policy & Finance Committee, Government of Sark said;

“On this Remembrance Sunday, Chief Pleas of Sark pause to remember all those who left our Island to serve in all the armed forces and gave their lives for our freedom.”

Pictured: Guernsey's ambulances decorated for Remembrance Sunday. 

Representatives from St John Ambulance Guernsey are also taking part in events in London as well as in Guernsey this weekend to remember those who have lost their lives or been injured in conflict. 

The Chief Ambulance Officer, Mark Mapp was invited to attend the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. Mr Mapp will parade with representatives of the UK’s blue light services at the televised event on Saturday.

He said; “it is a rare opportunity to be invited to be part of such a prestigious national event. I am extremely honoured to have been asked to represent Guernsey’s emergency ambulance service and St John at such a special occasion. It is also great that Guernsey will be represented at the event.” 

Meanwhile, representatives from St John will join other island authorities and dignitaries to lay wreaths at the Smith Street War Memorial in St Peter Port during the Bailiwick Act of Remembrance after the two minute's silence at 11:00.

Wreaths will be laid on behalf of the emergency ambulance service by Senior Officers Dave Welbourne and Steve Ford, while Mark Hassan and Alan Stevens will represent the charity’s volunteers.  

The St John standard bearer will be Tanya Goubert, with Guernsey’s Deputy Chief Ambulance Officer Dean de la Mare carrying the ambulance service colours.

For the first time, large poppies are also being displayed on the front of some of Guernsey’s ambulances. Two vehicles from the emergency ambulance service and one voluntary vehicle have been decorated with the emblem of remembrance. St John said it would like to thank Dowding Signs for supplying the poppies for the vehicles.

Pictured top: The Cenotaph in London (file image) and Deputy Gavin St Pier.