DOZENS of Alderney children have been presented with mementos of a momentous event which took place within sight and sound of the Island.
One hundred and sixty five past, present and future pupils of St Anne's School are now the proud possessors of commemorative coins to mark the 75th anniversary of Operation Overlord and the D-Day Landings.
States President William Tate handed out the first of the £5 coins at an assembly to mark the beginning of the school day after the youngsters had listened intently as he explained what they represent:
He told them: "This is a special morning because we want to give you something you can keep so that, in years to come, you will remember what they signify and what sacrifices were made so that we can be here this morning."
President Tate explained they were there to talk about one of the most important events of the Second World War which happened "just over the water."
The president then invited the pupils to try and picture what took place during those fateful hours as he read out a message for them from the Lieutenant Governor, Vice-Admiral Sir Ian Corder. the Queen's Representative in the Bailiwick, which accompanied every coin and in which he described what happened on D-Day.
Mr Tate said: "You would have been able to hear the fierce bombardment from your school and I want you to close your eyes and think what it would have been like in this very room," he said. "That's how close it was."
He added: "I want you to think about the sacrifice of those young people which allows us the freedoms we enjoy to think what we like, say what we like and vote for the government we like.
"These are the sorts of freedom these people gave their lives for so we must never forget he sacrifice they made so we can all live in freedom and democracy and support each other."
The solemnity of the occasion was further heightened when the States President concluded: "I hope you will take these coins away and I hope you will keep them with your treasures and that someday, maybe, you will be able to give them to your children and tell them the story I told you today."
In his message to the "young people of Alderney" Vice-Admiral Corder wrote: "I am delighted that Alderney has chosen to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the largest seaborne invasion in history.
Poignantly he pointed out: "Few of the military casualties on D-Day could be described as old. The youngest Allied soldier to die was a 16-year-old British paratrooper from Portsmouth, who had lied about his age and gone to war aged 14."
He went on: "In this important anniversary year, please take a moment to remember all those who took part in D-Day. Their remarkable courage and enormous personal sacrifice secured for us the peace we enjoy today."
The coins were provided by the Commonwealth Mint and Kevin Gentle, who represents the States on the St Anne's School Management Committee, said they had made sure no-one was left out: "We gave them to the pre-school at Island Hall and the pupils who left St Anne's this year as well as the present ones," he said.
The Guernsey Bereavement Service has made three visits to Alderney over the past few months and would like to continue to help you. We are visiting the island again on
Tuesday, 23rd February 2024 and would invite anyone who feels they would like Bereavement Counselling to telephone the Bereavement Service Office on 257778 to make a time to meet one of our counsellors.
The Guernsey Bereavement Service has made three visits to Alderney over the past few months and would like to continue to help you. We are visiting the island again on
Tuesday, 23rd February 2024 and would invite anyone who feels they would like Bereavement Counselling to telephone the Bereavement Service Office on 257778 to make a time to meet one of our counsellors. 