Annual service commemorates Guernsey WW1 soldiers

A memorial to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Les Rue Verte during World War One is due to take place in Guernsey and France later.

The annual event by the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Trust (RGLI) commemorates the Guernseymen who took part in the battle.

The service will take place at the RGLI memorials at the Sunken Gardens in St Peter Port and Les Rue Verte, Masnieres in northern France.

Chris Oliver, founder of the RGLI Trust, said the efforts of the troops during the battle had been described as "Guernsey's finest hour".

During three days, starting on 30 November 1917, the RGLI held off a counter-attack from German forces in Masnieres, near Cambrai, which allowed other British units to retreat safely.

It is believed more than 400 men from the RGLI were either killed, wounded or went missing during the battle.

His Excellency Lt General Richard Cripwell, the current Bailiff, Sir Richard McMahon, and various other representatives had expressed their intent to visit Masnieres for the remembrance events, the trust said.

The memorial service will be led by the Dean of Guernsey, the Very Reverend Tim Barker, before representatives of the French state, prefecture, town population and exchange students of Masnieres.

This year's event marks the 108th anniversary of the battle.

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