100 years today since the Jersey Pals went to war – see pictures from a century ago and from this weekend’s anniversary walk

Drizzle and damp weather on Saturday helped to create the ‘ideal atmosphere’ for the 23 Islanders that turned out for the walk of the conditions endured by soldiers in World World One.

Local historian Frank Falle organised the event to recognise the men who signed up to fight after the outbreak of war in 1914.

The men, who gathered in the Royal Square before they were sent to train in Ireland and then went on to fight battles in Europe, formed the D Company of the 7th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.

Of the 328 men that formed the unit, half were evacuated due to injury or illness and a quarter were killed.

Walkers leaving Gorey

With just 80 men remaining the unit had to be disbanded and the soldiers were absorbed into other regiments.

Mr Falle, who served with the British Army for 30 years, said: ‘It was a memorial walk to remember all those that left the Island to go to the Great War.

‘It was a sombre day. We started off in drizzle so we had the notes of what soldiers would have had experienced in the First World War.

‘They fought in rain and snow as well as sunshine so the wet weather made the ideal atmosphere. It got us out of our comfort zones.’

The walk, which began at Gorey Village car park, went on a detour to visit the grave of the unit’s commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Alfred Stocker. Despite suffering injuries, Lieutenant-Colonel Stocker, who is buried at St Saviour’s Church, survived the First World War.

He later died during the Occupation after he was hit by a car driven by a German.

Following the detour, the walk finished at the Royal Square where historian Ian Ronayne gave a talk about the Jersey contingent.

Mr Falle said: ‘He gave us a wonderful explanation of where the men congregated before catching the boat and the process of their training in Ireland.

‘He then talked us through them being sent to the Front and life in the trenches. Initially it was an adventure in some ways. A lot of them would not have left Jersey.’

The unit received 22 gallantry medals between them – seven of which were won on one day.

Mr Falle said it was important to remember the men’s bravery and added that he hoped the walk would be held again next year.

He said: ‘I think it gives people the opportunity to remember those that we owe so much to. If we don’t do things like these walks then it goes and gets forgotten which would be a pity because we owe our freedom to them.’

‘The proudest day’ in Island history’ – so the Evening Post declared when the first of the Jersey Pals marched off to war 100 years ago today

The Ibex, with its contingent of Jersey soldiers on board, pulls away from the quay Picture: Société Jersiaise

ONE hundred years ago today, the first group of 230 men of the Jersey Contingent (Jersey Company) began their journey to the Western Front as they marched into town at dawn to be greeted by a large crowd of family, friends and well-wishers in the Royal Square. For many of them it would be the last goodbye.

The Evening Post report from a century ago

Local historian and author Ian Ronayne recounts the poignancy of these sad, yet proud, events in his book: ‘Ours: The Jersey Pals in the First World War’.

MARCH 2 1915 dawned grey and damp, though a red sunrise over the French coast would have made a more apt portent of the tragedy that would befall the brave volunteers of the Jersey Pals.

Attempts to keep their departure for training in Ireland a secret failed as a very public round of send-off engagements and functions in the days before, made it obvious that ‘our boys’ would shortly leave.

There was little surprise, therefore, when the Town Battalion marched into the Royal Square at 6 am to find it already half-full with a noisy crowd of well-wishers.

Despite dreary conditions, the atmosphere was heavy with an excited sense of anticipation.

Nothing like this had happened since the heady days of the previous August when French and British reservists had left.

Moreover, this day was even more special; it was Jersey’s own who were leaving for war, and the Island had turned out to mark the occasion.

Soldiers are piped on their way through the Royal Square to the New North Quay on 2 March 1915. Picture: Société Jersiaise

It was ‘a red letter day in Jersey annals,’ proclaimed the Morning News, ‘never since the outbreak of hostilities has the community been so deeply stirred.’

While waiting for the East and West Battalions to arrive, the men from the Town Battalion were permitted to mingle with the crowd, now being marshalled by a cordon of military police. It led to scenes of mixed emotions.

Some volunteers, such as local butcher and well-known footballer Christopher ‘Jimmy’ Scoones, were clearly enjoying the moment, proclaiming loudly that he was looking forward to the next match against the Germans.

Others, however, were in a more reflective mood. Seeking mothers, wives and sweethearts for a final few moments together, many were reportedly on the verge of breaking down.

There were tearful scenes as the men, stuffing last-minute gifts of chocolate and cigarettes into their packs, eventually rejoined the ranks following the arrival of the remaining volunteers.

By 7 am the rain had at last stopped, and, as the clouds cleared, the grey square sparkled under the first rays of a late winter sun.

Rations were distributed for the journey – bread, jam, beef, cheese and biscuits – and the volunteers were called to order. With Lieutenant Colonel Stocker leading the way, the column – with a military pipes and drums band at its head – turned and marched off to the harbour, with a mass of cheering and flag-waving well-wishers lining the route.

The Island’s leaders joined the men at the Town Church for the march across the Weighbridge and on to the New North Quay where the Great Western Railways ship, SS Ibex, was waiting.

With everyone safely on board, the mooring ropes were slipped at 7.30 am, and the Ibex slowly pulled away from the quay.

‘A magnificent spectacle as she floated majestically above the quay,’ one commentator observed, ‘the whole length of her decks being crammed with khaki-clad warriors.’

Amid a throng of cheers and calls from the crowd, bands struck up sentimental tunes that were sung with great passion by those on the ship and back on shore.

The high tide was as calm as a millpond, and the Ibex slid easily across the harbour before passing between the pier heads to the blasts of saluting cannon fire.

As the Island slowly disappeared from view, it would have occurred to those, straining for the last glimpse of home, that they might never see Jersey again.

Nevertheless, it was, as the Evening Post later claimed, ‘The proudest day in our history’.

Members of the Jersey Militia, who were called out in 1914 to defend the IslandsContingent volunteers from the Militia's East Battalion, with Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Stocker, the Jersey Company's commanding officer, seated in the centre. Picture: Courtesy of Graeme Harris

– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –