Wednesday 29 November 2017
In regards to Guernsey Armed Forces Covenant
Sir,
As many of you will no doubt be aware, the 20th November 2017 marked the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of Cambrai, a conflict which is considered important by war historians for the first significant use of tanks in conflict during the First World War. For us islanders, tomorrow, 30th November 2017, is arguably more significant in terms of commemorating that terrible battle, as 100 years ago, over 900 of our servicemen from the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry entered the battle, and tragically many of them never returned.
I would like to take this opportunity to advise the Assembly that, after consultation with the Deputy Bailiff, he has kindly agreed that we will suspend proceedings tomorrow at 10am in order to observe a two minute period of silence and reflection to mark the remembrance of the sacrifice of our servicemen. This will coincide with the unveiling of the new Royal Guernsey Light Infantry World War One memorial in Cambrai/Masnieres.
I would also like to take this opportunity to bring a very timely update to the Assembly about the Guernsey Armed Forces Covenant, which is now ready to be signed off and upheld.
By way of a reminder, the Covenant acts as a commitment between the States of Guernsey on behalf of the people of Guernsey, and the local armed forces community. Its intention is to ensure that those who currently serve in the armed forces or have done so in the past (whether Regular or Reserve) and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens regarding public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have been affected most, such as the injured and the bereaved.
As members may be aware, there is already a UK Armed Forces Covenant which sets out the relationship at a national level between the Armed Forces and the UK Government. This Guernsey Armed Forces Covenant is built around similar principles of mutual support and moral obligation towards our armed forces community.
This Covenant promotes the integration of service life into civilian life and encourages members of the armed forces community to engage in island life.
The measures that form the foundation of this Covenant include looking after the welfare needs of our armed forces personnel and their families; recognising and remembering the sacrifices faced by the armed forces community in annual services of commemoration; acknowledging the important role of the cadet forces of all military services and their valuable contribution to the youth and community services of Guernsey; and developing ways of improving access to information for serving and ex-service personnel and their families in respect of support and services in Guernsey.
Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the community and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in the upholding of this Covenant.
The States of Guernsey will periodically review the measures that we are taking to implement the principles of this Covenant and consider if further actions would be helpful.
Sir, thank you for the opportunity to update the Assembly about this Covenant, and to draw members' attention to the proposed two minute silence tomorrow. I trust that members and others will support this important commitment that we are making to the armed forces community in Guernsey. I also invite everybody across the Islands to join with the Assembly in observing this period of silence and reflection at 10am tomorrow.
