Jersey 'band of brothers' honoured in film

Sunday 16 September 2018

A film about a courageous band of brothers who fought for the island in WWI is due to premiere later this year after a search for surviving family members was met with an "overwhelming" response.

The Royal British Legion launched the search for relatives of members of the 'Jersey Contingent' as part of the 100-year anniversary of the end of WW1.

The contingent were a group of over 300 semi-professional militiamen who volunteered to fight as a formed body overseas on behalf of King and country, joining the Great War in 1915, marking the first time the Jersey Militia had fought overseas since its formation in the 13th century.

In all, members of the Jersey Contingent were awarded two Distinguished Conduct Medals, two Military Crosses, 15 Military Medals, and two military decorations of France.

Ian Ronayne, a Jersey historian who researched the Jersey Contingent, said: "After fighting for the villages of Guillemont and Ginchy during the 1916 Battle of the Somme, the Jersey Contingent was reduced to a mere handful- only 13 men still standing at final roll call. Such were their losses in this battle that the government of Jersey chose Guillemont as the location for a monument to the Jersey Contingent and all from Jersey who fought. It was unveiled by the island’s leaders in September 2016, a century after the battle."

Pictured: The Jersey Contingent were a courageous band of brothers who fought for the island in World War One.

With 2018 marking the 100-year anniversary of the end of WW1, the Jersey branch of The Royal British Legion wanted to highlight the extraordinary role the Jersey Contingent played in the Great War by uncovering the stories passed down to generations of surviving family members. They launched a call earlier for surviving family members earlier this year and didn't expect to receive so many contacts.

“We have been overwhelmed by the response,” said Tim Daniels, chairman of The Royal British Legion, Jersey branch. “It is so important for us to remember those brave souls who fought for Jersey in WW1, but through this process we’ve discovered that their stories are gradually being forgotten.

"Our aim is to remember them, particularly this year on the 100-year anniversary of the end of WW1. There are a number of events being planned and we have commissioned Freedom Media to produce a film to ensure some of those Jersey Contingent stories are remembered.”

Pictured: Phil Slatter, Head of Video Production at Freedom Media, said the film aims to tell the Contingent's story through the personal perspective of their surviving relatives.

The film will highlight the extraordinary role the Jersey Contingent played in the Great War by uncovering their stories. Family members have been contacting Freedom Media over the past few months and a number have now been chosen to appear in the film.

Phil Slatter, Head of Video Production at Freedom Media, said: “The aim of the film is to tell the story of the Jersey Contingent through the personal perspective of their surviving relatives, all of whom have a significant missing link to what they know of their brave family members. This film will be poignant and emotional, but it is such an important story to tell and crucial for all of us to remember, especially in the centenary year of the end of the First World War.”

Britta Houiellebecq, Account Manager at Freedom Media and Assistant Producer on the film, said: “Our hope is that we can help them to find some resolution, or closure, in each of their stories - a grandson wanting to honour his grandfather, buried in an unmarked grave in Grouville; a niece longing to have her uncle remembered after he bravely served in both World Wars; and a grandson still mourning the loss of his grandfather, whose medals were buried with him, along with his story.”

The film will be shown later this year and it is hoped that it will be commissioned by various networks and channels.