LORD DE SAUMAREZ is delighted that his forefather Admiral James de Saumarez will have a permanent memorial in the island. He is a sixth-generation direct descendant of Guernsey’s greatest naval hero and was surprised to learn yesterday that the Grand Hall in the newly redeveloped Markets will be named after him.
The James Saumarez Hall will officially be opened on 1 July after a judging panel selected Janet Bisson’s entry out of 82 others in a competition.
‘I was not aware - oh, brilliant,’ was the initial reaction of Lord de Saumarez, pictured right.
‘I think it’s absolutely wonderful.
‘There have been a lot of moves to raise his profile with the Lt-Governor and the Bailiff, who are big fans of the deeds of the admiral.’
He believes islanders will welcome the move.
‘When I talk to people and they realise who I’m descended from, a lot of people are interested and some are very knowledgeable.
‘There was a monument in Delancey Park that the Germans knocked down and it’s nice to see his name mentioned permanently.’
Earlier this year he told the Guernsey Press he had always thought it was quite sad that the Saumarez name was all over the island but there was nothing permanent to mark the admiral’s achievements.
The admiral was born in St Peter Port in 1757. After leaving Elizabeth College aged 10, he signed on to the frigate, Solebay, before continuing his education in London for a couple of years, then heading to sea.
He died on 9 October 1836 and although he had the chance to be buried in Westminster Abbey, he chose the Castel Churchyard.
Article posted on 1st June, 2007 - 12.00am
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