Portrait unveiled for 100-year-old Jersey veteran

The Bailiff of Jersey unveiled the portrait of Ernest Thorne

A portrait has been unveiled to honour a 100-year-old Jersey veteran.

Ernest Thorne is thought to be the last Jersey man to have been involved in the Normandy landings in 1944.

It was painted by local artist Jason Butler who was commissioned by the Bailiff’s Chambers to make the portrait.

In 2018, Mr Thorne was presented with France’s highest order of merit - the cross of the Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur - in recognition of his contribution during World War Two.

Mr Thorne said he was very happy with the portrait

Mr Thorne was a driver in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

He said he was “an ordinary working man” and “as a youngster you don’t think you’ll have your painting done”.

He said he thought it was "a good painting".

The portrait was commissioned to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June.

'Real privilege'

Mr Butler, who has been commissioned twice by the Government of Jersey to commemorate royal visits, said being able to paint Mr Thorne was “a real privilege” and it was a “big responsibility with him being such an important figure”.

“When I met Ernest, I was so impressed because I've got very steep stairs in my studio and some people half his age struggle to get up them but he bounded up them straight away.”

The portrait of Mr Thorne is on display at the Town Hall in St Helier.

Ernest was in high spirits as he met people at the presentation