Bureau des ÃŽles Anglo-Normandes

On 6^th June 2019, many official and non-official events took place throughout Normandy to mark the 75^th anniversary of the D-Day landings. A delegation from Jersey and Guernsey travelled to Normandy to take part in this day of remembrance.

The delegation comprised of Jersey and Guernsey’s Chief Ministers, respectively Senator John Le Fondré and Deputy Gavin St Pier, as well as Ministers for External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst, and Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, alongside the Bailiff of Guernsey, Sir Richard Collas.

In the morning, the delegation attended the British Ecumenical Ceremony at Bayeux Cathedral in the presence of the French Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, PM Theresa May, and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. A group of D-Day veterans from the Royal British Legion were also present at this ceremony. The attendees then moved to the British Military Ceremony to pay homage to those who fell 75 years ago.

Later in the day, the Channel Islands delegation attended the International Ceremony at Juno Beach in Courseulles-sur-Mer. This was the first time that a ceremony of this kind had been held in the Canadian sector. It took place in the presence of Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and Edouard Philippe.

The Channel Islands delegation were honoured to have taken part in these major commemorations of events that happened very close to the Islands shores. The day offered a chance to reflect on the horrors of 6^th June 1944 and to be thankful for those who sacrificed their lives for the liberty of others.