Can you help tell the story of the Jersey band of brothers?

Friday 30 March 2018

Theirs is a story of "great bravery, heroism and tragedy", but yet few islanders know about the Jersey Contingent - a courageous band of brothers who fought for the island in World War One. Now the Royal British Legion are looking for surviving family members to help tell their tale.

It is hoped that once family members have been found, their stories will be told as part of a film to be shown later this year in celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the end of WW1.

The Jersey Contingent, a militia of semi-professional soldiers whose sole duty was to defend their island from attack - principally from the French - was created in the 13th century. This little army, which included all able-bodied men between 16 and 45, was trained and armed for this duty alone, protected by tradition and law from being asked to serve overseas. 

But World War One saw the Contingent go on to fight overseas. In 1916, they responded to an appeal from London and volunteered to fight as a formed body overseas on behalf of King and country against the common German enemy. The Jersey Contingent became the only formed force from the island to serve at the front in WW1 and while 300 would leave Jersey, their numbers diminished to just a handful by the final roll call.

Ian Ronayne, a Jersey historian who researched the Jersey Contingent for his book ‘Ours: The Jersey Pals in the First World War’, said: “The story is fascinating, but not without controversy. “The contingent was left to dwindle on the front, with no organised effort by Jersey’s government at the time to reinforce or replenish their numbers, which invariably condemned them to fade away.

“Despite this, on the battlefield the Jersey Contingent excelled, winning an extraordinary haul of bravery awards. The 300 fought at The Battle of the Somme, one of the bloodiest battles of WW1, and the Battle of Ypres where they claimed several Military Medals.”

Pictured: Ian Ronayne researched the history of the Jersey Contingent for his book.

In all, members of the Jersey Contingent were awarded two Distinguished Conduct Medals, two Military Crosses, 15 Military Medals and two military decorations of France.

Mr Ronayne added: "After fighting for the villages of Guillemont and Ginchy during the 1916 Battle of the Somme, the Jersey Contingent was reduced to a mere handful- only 13 men still standing at final roll call. Such were their losses in this battle that the government of Jersey chose Guillemont as the location for a monument to the Jersey Contingent and all from Jersey who fought. It was unveiled by the island’s leaders in September 2016, a century after the battle."

With 2018 marking the 100-year anniversary of the end of WW1, the Jersey branch of The Royal British Legion is hoping to highlight the extraordinary role the Jersey Contingent played in the Great War by uncovering the stories passed down to generations of surviving family members. Jersey Plants Direct, an internet and mail order plants company, is supporting the initiative by raising awareness of the search through their #PlantaPoppy campaign. 

Tim Daniels, chairman of The Royal British Legion, Jersey branch, commented: “It is a story of great bravery, heroism and tragedy. Yet, we only know parts of it and we are desperately hoping for family members to come forward so that the lives of those in the Jersey Contingent, and the role they played in WW1, are rightly remembered.”

Surviving family members of the Jersey Contingent can contact Martyn White, who is co-ordinating the search, on martyn@freedom.media with details.