ABOUT 80 relatives and friends gathered to say “bouôn annivèrsaithe” to a lifelong Jèrriais speaker as he marked his 100th birthday.
Maurice Marie, a Second World War veteran who attends weekly Jèrriais sessions with his wife, Joy, celebrated his three-figure milestone with a party at Jersey Baptist Church.
The event was attended by dozens of relatives, including Mr and Mrs Marie’s sons Ian, Trevor and Gary, their daughter Phillippa and members of three younger generations. Several friends were also present, and there was a guest appearance by the Lieutenant-Governor, Vice-Admiral Jerry Kyd, and his wife, Dr Karen Kyd.
The event featured live music, including some Christmas songs and a particular request from the birthday boy: the classic American country song You Are My Sunshine.
Born and brought up in Jersey, Mr Marie left the Island as a teenager after the outbreak of the Second World War, later following in the footsteps of his older brother Bert in joining the British Army.
Having left Jersey at the age of 16, Mr Marie was not old enough to join up, and was denied permission by his mother to do so, which prompted him to run away and enlist with the Hampshire Regiment.
Shortly before his 19th birthday, Mr Marie fought alongside regimental colleagues at the Battle of Tebourba Gap in North Africa. The six-day clash, which began on 29 November 1942, saw a gallant stand by heavily outnumbered forces who suffered a significant toll, with 495 men – more than 70% of the total number at the outset – losing their lives.
Mr Marie was later awarded the Africa Star military campaign medal for his contribution to the war effort. Returning to civilian life in Jersey after the war, Mr Marie worked as a gardener for several years and then as an attendant at the Cleveland Garage at Havre des Pas, helping check over customers’ vehicles and filling them up with petrol.
Mr and Mrs Marie have both remained active in retirement, with family members joking that they are rarely found at home, with the weekly Jèrriais conversation sessions a particular highlight.
