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We would all agree that war and conflict are truly terrible. A failure of diplomacy, a failure of statecraft and, ultimately, the failure of humanity.
It is sad that mankind is unable to break out from the repetitive cycle of conflict that today still afflicts so many millions across our planet. The dictum that ‘peace is just an interlude between war’ remains, for now, sadly accurate.
The human condition reveals a paradox. Capable of unleashing unspeakable horror, such as Hamas’ brutal massacre in Israel last October, we are equally capable of profound compassion and gentleness. This duality is frustrating.
Can we dare to hope that in the future we can resolve our challenges through peaceful means, or will primeval aggression continue to prevail? For now, sadly the evidence is rather gloomy. The news reels reveal the realities of the ongoing agonies of the Palestinian people in Gaza.
In Ukraine, Russia has lost a staggering 600,000 killed and wounded, while Ukraine is literally running out of men that can fight. And in Sudan millions are being affected by an ongoing civil war that has already claimed thousands of lives, with millions more facing imminent starvation. And yet, in the same news bulletin, there is hope for the future.
We are a remarkable species and together we can continue to achieve extraordinary things. SpaceX’s successful test of its Super Heavy rocket which may send a crew to Mars soon, and its automated recovery to its launch tower, was magical and awe-inspiring.
New drugs promise relief for the worst human ailments from cancer to Alzheimer’s. And advances in AI, robotics, quantum and other technologies will offer opportunities incomprehensible only a decade ago.
Additionally, compassionate jurisdictions, such as Jersey, donate millions to help others, who they will probably never meet, in the poorest countries so often ravaged by conflict, natural disaster and social upheaval.
But as we try to make sense of all these contradictions and worry about the increasing insecurity of the world, the annual Remembrance ceremony and Poppy Appeal is a chance to take a moment and pay our respects to those who died for us in wars against the forces of tyranny and evil.
We all, perhaps, forget how lucky we are to live in Jersey. No rocket attacks or aerial bombardments in St Helier. Plentiful food, clean water, electricity, modern health care and social tolerance.
And of course, our freedom and security that has been hard won through the blood, sweat and tears of so many brave and selfless service personnel, many of whom never came home to enjoy the bounty of peace.
Today, the island’s Poppy Appeal, organised annually by the Royal British Legion Jersey, and our Remembrance services have evolved to include not just those who died in the World Wars, but also those who have been killed in more recent conflicts. This is particularly poignant as we see the impact of recent wars on our Service personnel, their families, and their communities.
In recent decades, British forces have been involved in numerous overseas operations, often in dangerous and volatile regions. Conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, for example, claimed the lives of 626 British personnel, with many more wounded physically and mentally. It is for them and their families that we recognise and respect their selfless bravery, and sadly, all too often, their sacrifice.
From the Royal Navy, Marine Jonathan Wigley is emblematic of the personal sacrifices made by our young men and women who accept the risk of losing their lives.
Wigley was killed in Afghanistan in November 2006 during a fierce firefight in Helmand Province. His courage and the loss felt by his family highlight the cost of military service, especially in operations where the lines between friend and foe are blurred, and every split-second decision can mean the difference between life or death.
From the British Army, Lance Corporal James Ashworth was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for valour. In June 2012, during a mission in Afghanistan, Ashworth deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire while leading a patrol that was seeking to neutralise Taliban insurgents. His bravery saved the lives of his mates, which is a consolation, but his family back home will mourn his loss forever. ‘Selfless sacrifice’ personified.
And from the Royal Air Force, Flight Lieutenants Kevin Main and David Williams died after their Tornado aircraft was shot down tragically by friendly fire in Iraq in March 2003. They too will not be forgotten.
The Poppy Appeal is about remembrance, yes, but also about providing practical support to veterans and their families too. The funds raised are used by the Royal British Legion here in Jersey to offer a wide range of services, including rehabilitation for injured veterans, mental health support, housing assistance, and employment help.
Often the Royal British Legion is the first point of contact for veterans with support starting on day one of service and continuing through life, long after service is over. Through the Royal British Legion and the Poppy Appeal, our veterans are supported brilliantly. This wonderful charity remains as vital today as it was over a century ago in the aftermath of the First World War.
The Royal British Legion has also been instrumental in advocating for improvements in veterans’ healthcare, pensions, and overall welfare. Their campaigns have led to changes in policy, such as the creation of the Armed Forces Covenant, a commitment by Governments to ensure that service personnel and their families are not disadvantaged by their military service.
For Jersey, as the 80th Anniversary Year of Liberation approaches in 2025, we should also remember the impact of war on the island and her people, including the German Occupation. Each of the myriad of silent memorials across the island tells a story of sacrifice and hardship with so many Jersey families left affected by the scourge of war.
In my long military career, I have attended too many funerals of soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen, some barely into their twenties, who will never again see their loved ones or enjoy things in life that we all take so much for granted.
For them and for the millions of other veterans and the ‘fallen’, do please wear a poppy this year and pause to remember, in particular, those who answered the call and never came home. We owe them our heartfelt gratitude.
His Excellency Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd, Lieutenant Governor of Jersey
