Jersey War Tunnels welcomed Chelsea Pensioner Michael Gue last week.
The visit formed part of the iconic island attraction’s first dedicated programme to mark Remembrance Week, demonstrating its growing commitment to honouring service and sacrifice.
Michael, a former Royal Signals Warrant Officer and Physical Training Instructor, visited Jersey representing the Royal Hospital Chelsea while raising funds for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. During his visit, he enjoyed a private tour of the Tunnels with owner Lance Trevellyan and Operations Manager Michael Billings, Captain, Royal Logistic Corps Reserve.
On Sunday, Michael Gue joined Captain Billings and members of the Jersey Field Squadron to march in the island’s Remembrance Service, commemorating those who served and continue to serve.
For Mr Gue the visit was a return to familiar ground. As a young soldier, his army roommate was from Jersey, and the pair spent time canoeing and exploring the island during leave. After leaving the Army, Michael worked as a physical training instructor in the United States for 17 years before returning to London to join the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
The visit coincided with the unveiling of Jersey War Tunnels’ striking new ‘Cascade of Remembrance’, a large-scale installation created using over 2,000 hand printed poppies.
Owner of Jersey War Tunnels, Lance Trevellyan said: “The Cascade of Remembrance is a deeply meaningful project for us. Following a visit to the Poppy Factory in Richmond, we were kindly gifted five rolls of poppy material stencils showing where the poppies had been cut. Using these as inspiration, we collaborated with Worton Hall Studios, part of The Trevellyan Group, to create this piece which depicts over 2,000 silk-screened poppies on white weatherproof fabric.
“The centre of each poppy was individually printed by hand. The result is both a tribute and a reminder of the sacrifices made.”
Another addition to mark Remembrance Week at Jersey War Tunnels was a triangular wreath display, honouring servicemen past and present, including Len Samson, Michael Ginns MBE, Rob Le Sueur MBE, Bill Reynolds, Harry Fenn, Clive Kemp, Arthur ‘Don’ Bell, Richard Wraight, Joseph Miere, Tracy Williams, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, and Vice Admiral Sir Jerry Kyd.
Damian Warman, General Manager at Jersey War Tunnels, added, “We are extremely proud to be supporting Remembrance Week and wish to thank everyone involved, especially our team, as we respectfully remained open on Sunday 9th and again on Tuesday 11th November.
“This year marks the beginning of a longer-term commitment by Jersey War Tunnels to embrace Remembrance as a central part of its heritage programme.”
Pictured: Lance Trevellyan, Michael Gue and Michael Billings
