Guernsey and World War I

Among the stamps from Guernsey I got as Christmas present is one set about the World War I Centenary.

The stamps from Guernsey show six remarkable islanders stepping forward eagerly and doing their bit.

Private Yves Cataroche was among the first volunteers. He survived the Battle at the Somme, hospitalised at the Battle of Ypres and after his recovery he went back to front with the RGLI. At the front he was again badly wounded and in 1918 he was honourably discharged.

Major George Le Page was also one of the first volunteers. He led the Guernsey Contingent of the 6th Royal Irish Regiment. His soldiers described him as "like a father". In January 1916 he was killed as one of the first islanders. 

Dorthy Nichols joined a munitions factory in Derbyshire. For her courage and devotion during two explosions at the plant she was awarded the Medal of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Lt Frank de Mouilpied Lainé went to war with his brother Thomas. They fought with the RGLI in fierce battles. Thomas was left behind in France without known grave and Frank died in 1922 in the course of his injuries. He later got the Military Cross for exemplary gallantry.

Ada Le Poidevin was a salvationist. She worked as a sister in a respite hut set up by the Salvation Army. 

Private Latimer Le Poidevin joined the RGLI in January 1917 and remained there until its demobilisation in 1919. After his return he wrote a remarkably accurate notebook with his experiences and later never spoke of them again.

The stamps were issued on 11-11-2014.