Living tribute to lost lives

Friday 09 November 2018

Living tribute to lost lives

Friday 09 November 2018

Ahead of Remembrance Sunday, Guernsey's cadets have taken part in a photographic tribute to those who gave up their lives during the First World War.

A number of young people have posed for photos as a ‘living tribute' to those who died as the world prepares to mark 100 years since the Armistice.

The project has been captured by Elizabeth College's artist-in-residence Aaron Yeandle.

The Royal Navy has endorsed the idea, saying on its website that Mr Yeandle "has spent most of 2018 photographing members of the college’s Combined Cadet Force, as well as cadets from the Guernsey Detachment Army Cadet Force, Guernsey RAF Cadets, and Guernsey Sea and Royal Marines Cadets."

All of the photographs have been taken in the style of those taken during the time of the Great War with the young people posed for photographs wearing the uniforms of the time and carrying weapons.

Some of those who gave their lives in the 1914-18 conflict are as young or younger than those posing for the living tribute today.

I am looking forward to the opening of the next @GHGalleryGSY exhibition this Friday. Everyone is welcome. pic.twitter.com/gJcuZZmLWv
— Jenny Palmer (@Eliz_CollPrin) November 7, 2018

All of the images which have been taken, will be on display in a special exhibition called Memorialise at the Elizabeth College Gate House Gallery from today until Sunday 25 November, between 07:00 and 21:00 each day.

Mr Yeandle said that he wanted to "commemorate the sacrifice of the Guernsey inhabitants and the Old Elizabethens who took part and for those who died."
He described his project as a "poignant and thoughtful photographic body of work."

"Historically speaking, portraiture of individuals in military uniforms has a long-standing tradition, which goes back for centuries," he said.

"In creating this commemorative body of work, I have carried on the tradition of military portraiture and developed this historical practice into a contemporary approach. The photographic project, Memorialise, has captured a poignant and suggestive part of our history, which can be so fleeting."

Pictured: The exhibition is open from today.

Elizabeth College's Principal, Jenny Palmer said the young people involved in the project all uphold the values of those who gave their lives before them.

“Artist in Residence Aaron Yeandle photographed students and staff members involved in the Elizabeth College Combined Cadet Force (CCF) to commemorate the centenary of the First World War and the 112 Old Elizabethans lost as a result of the conflict.

"Our CCF, and cadet organisations throughout Guernsey, uphold the values of leadership, integrity and courage, and offer young people a positive environment where they can develop these attributes as well as remember the lives and sacrifice of generations before them.”

The Officer in Charge of TS Sarnia, Sub Lieutenant (SCC) Philip Nicol-Gent, added: “TS Sarnia was very pleased to be able to participate in this project, both to commemorate the island’s loss and connect today’s cadets with the centenary of Armistice.”

The story of the Royal Guernsey Light Infrantry is told at Guernsey Museum at Candie.

Guernsey suffered heavy losses during the First World War, with the 1,200 strong Royal Guernsey Light Infantry reduced to just over 500 within months of it being formed in 1916.

The RGLI was first sent into action at the Battle of Cambrai, before the remaining 501 men were involved in further action at Passchendaele in 1917 which saw that number reduced to just 55 men and two officers.

Pictured top: Two of the images which will be displayed at the Elizabeth College Gate House Gallery.

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