This Is Guernsey

By Nick Mann

TEARS flowed as a service held for evacuees during the Second World War was re-enacted at Capelles Methodist Church yesterday. Among the congregation of about 90 were some who had been at the original service held in St Martin-in-the-Fields in London on Sunday 31 January 1943.

Two of them were Marlene Allain, 68, and her mother Florrie Elliott, 93.

They lived in Bristol during the war and went to the London service with Marlene’s brother, Reg Elliott, and grandmother.

‘I remember going in, the crowds of people, but I don’t remember the service, it’s too far back,’ said Mrs Elliott.

Mrs Allain was only three when the London service was held.

‘I thoroughly enjoyed today, especially singing Sarnia Cherie - it gives you a lot of pride in your island,’ said Mrs Allain.

The St Martin-in-the-Fields service was broadcast live on the BBC Home Service.

Those remaining in Guernsey listened in secret on wireless and crystal sets and took down transcripts of the service that were copied and distributed around the island.

Some of the copies were brought along yesterday, along with original Liberation medals and even a gas mask.

It was one of the transcripts that had sparked the idea for the re-enactment.

Robert Langlois was shown one by his Aunt Clara.

From there he set about researching the service and appealing in the Guernsey Press and on radio for people who had attended to come forward.

‘People said it brought back all sorts of memories and brought tears to their eyes,’ said Mr Langlois.

‘It’s been well worth doing. I started with one letter and then got to talk to so many people and find out so much about it.

‘People still get emotional singing Sarnia Cherie and the last hymn we sang was Holy Father in Thy Mercy.’

On both sides of the Channel it had been a wartime ritual to sing the hymn as the last item before the Benediction.

In 1943, it was sung kneeling as a special prayer for people remaining in the Channel Islands.