Poignant ceremony for slave workers

THE presence of so many Islanders at the act of remembrance for Occupation forced and slave workers showed that although time will cause the horrors suffered by them in Jersey to fade, their memory will be honoured from generation to generation.

Over 150 people surrounded the memorial stone at the Crematorium at Westmount to commemorate the sacrifice and hardships suffered by foreign detainees in the Island during the war years.

Participants laid 41 wreaths, including tributes from the last two former forced workers still living in Jersey.

The Lieutenant-Governor, Lieutenant-General Andrew Ridgway, was the first to lay a wreath, followed by the Bailiff, Sir Philip Bailhache, and the President of Madeira, Dr Alberto Jardim.

Gen Ridgway later said that he had been impressed by the number of people who had turned out to pay their respects. ‘It was a very moving ceremony,’ he said. ‘It was wonderful to see so many different communities represented.’

Article posted on 10th May, 2008 - 8.28am

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