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Family members of ten heroes from the Occupation are being urged to come forward ahead of the roll-out of Stolpersteine memorial stones across the island.
Jersey Heritage has already tracked down relatives of half of the 20 people whose names will feature on the stones as part of a major new initiative to remember those who suffered at the hands of the Germans during the Second World War.
The organisation now hopes to find family members of the rest before the brass-capped cobble stones are inserted into pavements and roadways later this year.
More than 100,000 Stolpersteine or “stumble stones” – each made by German artist Gunter Demnig – have been laid across mainland Europe since the project was launched in 1992.
Pictured: German artist Gunter Denmig with an example of a Stolpersteine in situ.
The UK received its first Stolperstein two years ago in memory of Ada van Dantzig – a Dutch woman of Jewish heritage – who was murdered in Auschwitz aged 25. It was laid at her place of work in London.
The Jersey stones will remember, in all but two instances, survivors of the Occupation, to ensure there is no crossover with the purpose of the Lighthouse Memorial on the New North Quay, which commemorates the 21 Jersey women and men who perished in Nazi prisons and camps.
Jersey Heritage’s sites curator, Chris Addy, who is leading the Jersey project with Occupation historian Dr Gilly Carr, said: “The Jersey stones will raise awareness of islanders who were persecuted for their Jewish origins or went into hiding for that reason; those convicted of acts of resistance, defiance or attempted escape; individuals sent to Alderney as conscripted labourers; or interned in Germany for being British born.
“As the Jersey 21 were formally remembered at the Lighthouse Memorial, it was felt that the time was right to honour a wider group of Jersey’s Occupation heroes. We have made every effort to contact the families of those due to be honoured but would love to hear from any relatives we have not yet been able to identify.”
Mr Demnig is due to visit the Channel Islands in July to install several of the Stolpersteine in Jersey, as well as Guernsey, where a total of 15 stones will eventually be laid.
Pictured: Iris and Gordon Prigent on their wedding day.
Iris Prigent, whose late husband, Gordon, was a conscripted worker sent to Alderney and will have his Stolperstein placed in Hope Street, said: “My husband suffered greatly as a result of being sent to Alderney for refusing to work for the Occupiers. This experience affected him for the rest of his life.
“Gordon would have been happy to think that he and many others who suffered during the German Occupation are being remembered.”
Mr Addy said the stones would “provide a moving commemoration” of survivors.
He added: “The support we have received so far for the Stolpersteine project in Jersey has been wonderful and we’d like to thank St Helier, St Saviour, St Clement, Grouville and St Brelade, who have agreed to have stones within their parishes, as well as the Department of Infrastructure and Environment and V & V Stonemasons for generously agreeing to install the Stolpersteine and provide the necessary materials free of charge.”
*Denotes that family members have not yet been traced. Any family members wishing to become involved in the project should contact Chris Addy on 633300 or email chris.addy@jerseyheritage.org.
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