Jersey stamps mark centenary of the Great War

Monday 04 August 2014

Jersey Post is launching a new stamps series on Monday to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War.

The first in the five-part “The Great War – 100 Years”, the issue focuses on “participation’ and explores the subject of war from a Jersey perspective.

The stamps feature illustrations by Martin Hargreaves who has sensitively portrayed different people in the local community and their roles in the Great War. Represented on the six stamps are The Royal Jersey Militia, Volunteer Aid Detachment, French reservists, agricultural workers, fundraisers and Royal Naval Officers, set against recognisable Island backdrops including the Royal Square and Mont Orgueil Castle.

Jersey Post’s Philatelic production co-ordinator, Chris Elligott said: “The Great War affected all parts of every community across Britain and Jersey was no exception. For our First World War stamp issue, we decided to look at the history of the First World War from a local angle and the result is really quite poignant. We’ve focussed in on the community, the people who were involved and the different roles that they adopted.

“Over 6,000 Islanders served in the war and 862 of these people were killed, in addition to members of the French community who left the Island to fight and who lost their lives. This stamp issue, together with our remembrance issue released earlier in the year, commemorates all those who were involved and affected by this horrific conflict, 100 years on.”