More than double the number of second- and third-generation descendants of survivors of the Holocaust who attended last year’s Holocaust Memorial Day will convene for this year’s ceremony.

On Tuesday 27 January, 44 wreaths will be laid at the Lighthouse Memorial on the New North Quay in memory of the victims of Nazi persecution in the Second World War.

Of these, 12 will be laid by 19 people who live to tell their relatives’ story.

Dr Kevin White is one of these descendants. He is travelling to the island to lay a wreath in memory of his grandfather Frederick Page.

Frederick was tried for wireless offences during the Occupation and sentenced to 21 months in prison.

He later died in Naumberg internment camp, just months before liberation.

Frederick’s name is one of 21 inscribed on the Lighthouse memorial, and one of 25 people memorialised in Jersey’s Stolpersteine project.

Kevin said: “My presence at this year’s ceremony will honour my grandfather, a man of huge courage and with a detestation of antisemitism and Nazi evil.

“I hope it will remind people that the events of the Occupation are recent and still have an impact on families.

“Holocaust Memorial Day is an excellent opportunity for young people to learn about their past, and my grandfather’s story is particularly pertinent to pass down the generations as he was prepared to die for human rights when he fell foul of one of the vilest regimes in history.”

Visiting guest speaker Helen Stone will also share the story of her mother Emmy Golding, who survived the Holocaust by coming to England as a Jewish refugee from Germany in May 1939.

Helen is a founder member and Associate Director of Generation 2 Generation, an organisation that helps the children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors to tell their family stories.

Students from Victoria College and Jersey College for Girls will lay a flower on the names of each of the Jersey 21 as a part of the ceremony, and Les Quennevais students will lay a wreath for those who continue to suffer from hatred, racism, and bigotry in global conflicts.

The ceremony will also include local musicians, the Julie Riley and Vanessa Moore Violin duo, performing pieces composed during the Holocaust or originating from it.

Chris Addy, one of the organisers of the local Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration and Jersey Heritage’s WWII fortifications curator, said: “The local commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day continues to grow and develop each year, as demonstrated by the increase in the number of wreaths and wreath-layers taking part in the 2026 ceremony.

“This increase is partly due to last year’s Stolpersteine project, which brought us into contact with more descendants.

“We are honoured to welcome everyone who comes together to remember those who suffered at the hands of Nazi persecution, but it is especially moving to have the presence of family members, who help us to keep alive these important stories while also celebrating the lives of those who have followed.”

Jersey will also be participating in the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust’s ‘Light the Darkness’ project, which will see landmarks across the British Isles illuminated in purple – with footage from Jersey set to be included in social media coverage.

Holocaust Memorial Day is a time to remember the six million Jewish people murdered during the Holocaust, as well as the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution. The day also marks more recent genocides recognised by the UK government.