Guernsey marks Holocaust Memorial Day with service

The Very Reverend Tim Barker hosted a memorial service on Thursday

A service to mark Holocaust Memorial Day has taken place in Guernsey.

The day remembers the victims of the Holocaust and other acts of genocide both in Guernsey and around the world.

The service began at midday at the White Rock memorial, near North Beach.

In January, the States announced the commemoration, usually held in Guernsey each January, would be held in April or May, to align with Yom HaShoah, the day it is marked in Israel.

The service took place on Thursday and was open to all faiths

The Very Reverend Tim Barker led the service, which began at the memorial to slave labourers, with an introduction to the commemoration, a prayer and the laying of a wreath.

He said the day was "about remembering".

The service then moved to the memorial to the Guernsey Eight - a group of islanders who died in prison or camps as a result of the German Occupation.

Joseph Gillingham's daughter, Jean Harris, attended the service

Jean Harris, the daughter of Joseph Gillingham, said it was nice to recognise the heroes of the occupation.

Mr Gillingham, who was recognised on the plaque, was part of the Guernsey Underground News Service, distributing news to people on leaflets.

"He was put in a German prison and on February 2 he was released and never heard of again," Ms Harris said.

"I often think what my mum went through, never knowing.

"I felt proud of what he did."

A silence was observed before a prayer of recollection was said and a second wreath placed.

The commemoration concluded at the memorial to three Jewish women who lived in the island before being deported and killed.

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