For release on Monday November 10, 2014
Guernsey
Post announces that it is to issue a landmark series of special stamps each
year from 2014 to 2018 to commemorate the centenary of The Great War. ‘Stories
from the Great War’ will feature a set of stamps and a prestige booklet each
year.
The first set, which is available from 11
November, begins with six stamps depicting
Guernsey men and women who gave their lives in war zones, each telling a
personal story of their contribution during the War.
Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post, explained: - “The impact of The Great War changed the course of history and its effect is felt to this day.
“Following
extensive research and an appeal in Guernsey for people to share information
with us, over the next five years we will tell their stories and show the
impact the Great War had on the Bailiwick, as well as the significant
contribution our little community made to the war effort.”
The stamps
When Kitchener’s call to arms went up in 1914, the first wave of volunteers included Private Yves Cataroche (41p), who was hospitalised at the Battle of Ypres, and Major George Le Page (54p), who led D Company, the Guernsey Contingent of the 6th Royal Irish Regiment. He was killed in January 1916 - one of the first islanders to die for his country.
Following his recovery, Yves was transferred to the 1st Battalion of the newly-formed Royal Guernsey Light Infantry (RGLI). In September 1917, he was back at the front and badly wounded once more. He was honourably discharged the following year and went on to marry his wartime sweetheart.
In 1915 there was an appeal for Welfare Supervisors at the munitions factories. Numerous Bailiwick women stepped forward including Dorothy Nicolls (55p), who volunteered to join a National Shell Filling Factory in Chilwell, Derbyshire. There were several explosions and the largest was at Chilwell in July 1918, killing 134 people and injuring over 200. Dorothy was given the Medal of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for her courage and devotion.
When the RGLI joined the front in September 1917, they did not have long to prepare for their first major battle, Cambrai. Among those readying themselves to fight alongside each other were Lt Frank de Mouilpied Lainé (66p) and his brother 2nd Lt Thomas de Jersey Lainé. In April 1918, the Battalion faced a major battle at Lys and suffered devastating casualties. Frank’s right arm was shattered by gunfire and he died from his wounds in 1922. He was awarded the Military Cross for exemplary gallantry.
During the War, the Salvation Army set up respite huts for soldiers, staffed by Salvation Army officers and small groups of ‘sisters’ including Ada Le Poidevin (74p) who answered a call in the War Cry. Ada and her colleagues also visited cemeteries for families back home. They put flowers on the graves of the fallen and sent photographs of them to the bereaved with some of the pressed flowers.
Ada’s cousin, Private Latimer Le Poidevin (83p), fought alongside the Lainé brothers and Yves Cataroche. His younger brother, Herbert, had been killed at Cambrai and, on his return, he set down his experiences in a remarkably accurate notebook and then never spoke of them again.
Latimer wrote: ‘As I was sitting down reading a letter from home I heard the next chap to me tell another chap if he knew that my brother had been killed ... It was my last thought that when a few days ago when I was giving the cigarettes and wishing each other good luck that it was the last time seeing each other’.
-End release-
Press enquiries to:
Sarah Amies, pr consultant, 01484 687040/07811
133973
Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic, 01481 733524
Notes to editors: -
The Royal Guernsey Light Infantry (RGLI)
- The Royal Guernsey Light
Infantry (RGLI) was formed from the local Guernsey Militia
- More than 3,000 Guernsey men
served in France and Belgium with the majority serving with the RGLI
- Almost 330 died but many
more were left physically and mentally wounded
- Almost every island family
was directly affected by the loss of a relative
Stamp specification
Date of issue: 11
November 2014
Designer: Charlotte
Barnes
Printer: BDT International
Values: 41p,
54p, 55p, 66p, 74p, 83p
Process: Offset
Lithography
Stamp size: 40.64mm
deep x 36.85mm wide
Paper: 110gsm
unwatermarked PVA adhesive
Sheets: 10
Perforation: 14
x 15
Cylinder: A