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In my view, it is incorrect to say that young people do not care about “the” war, it is just that there are other wars to think about that are of more immediate relevance, and not just the one that he was involved in.

I hope that Mr Harvey was not suggesting that young people do not care about wars and the effect of war in general, and the importance of remembering the sacrifices made and still being made, as to do so would do them a great disservice.

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For me this line says it all, and is something to celebrate. I am so very grateful that, thanks to the sacrifice of these gallant people and the continuing sacrifice of those in our armed forces, my generation and subsequent generations do not have any idea what war is really about.

What better legacy than peace and freedom can Mr Harvey and those of his family who gave their lives leave to the people of Guernsey? Long may it continue….

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Trying to be objective though, it doesn’t surprise me that the younger generation, when asked about the war, answer “what war?” I was brought up at a time when if someone said “the war” it was obvious they meant World War II. These days, this isn’t the case so much and considering the number of wars in recent history (Gulf War I, II, Afghanistan, Balkans etc) I don’t think young people are acting out of turn to ask exactly which war is being referred to.

It also doesn’t surprise me that they aren’t so well informed or bothered about World War II – they are simply following well known human behaviour. The longer time moves on, the more what was recent history becomes older and eventually ancient history – major events become less significant in the eyes of each passing generation.

This is what is happening with World War II, it will go the way of other major wars and battles that have happened throughout history. To illustrate this point, very few commemorate the Battle of Hastings – the outcome of which arguably had a greater effect on Guernsey’s history than the Second World War.

I’m not suggesting we should not remember our history, far from it – I fully support Remembrance Sunday and Liberation Day, as they provide an opportunity to give thanks for those who gave everything. I’m simply mindful that memories of the war generation will inevitably fade, just as we don’t remember our ancestors who fought at Hastings.

Incidentally I do think that, given modern technology, we should be trying to document as many of these memories as possible so that future generations will have a better idea of our history – even if it doesn’t mean so much to them.

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