Jersey War Tunnels has announced the early development of a powerful new public memorial that will pay tribute to those who suffered during the German occupation of Jersey.
The memorial will pay tribute in particular to the thousands of forced labourers who worked under harrowing conditions to build wartime infrastructure across the island, including the tunnels themselves.
Intending to complement the existing Garden of Reflection, the project, currently titled Sentinel of Souls (Le Gardin des Ames), is envisioned as a large-scale sculpture and commemorative trail within the grounds in St. Lawrence. As the first major new initiative since the attraction was acquired by Trevellyan Operations earlier this year, it marks a significant step forward in the site's ongoing mission to preserve, honour and retell the island’s wartime history.
Commenting on the exciting initiative Lance Trevellyan, owner of Jersey War Tunnels said: “Sadly, as those with first-hand experience of living in occupied Jersey become fewer and fewer, there is a heightened urgency to record more of the facts of the experiences they endured for the benefit of present and future generations.
“Our aim is to create a significant memorial that draws public attention to the terrible cost of war, the lives lost and the human suffering endured during the Occupation. To create an artwork that Jersey can be proud of. Through consultation, we aim to build consensus on the memorial’s scale, design, its location and its long-term legacy. We hope this will become a must-see landmark for both locals and visitors – a space for reflection, remembrance and pride.”
The Tunnels remain one of the best-preserved example of German WWII engineering in Europe and the only place in Jersey that tells the full story of life under occupation. Stepping back in time, the immersive experience walks you through the years and key events from first occupation to liberation. More than 5,000 forced labourers from among a total of 16,000 brought to the Channel Islands, were made to work on the tunnels often enduring extreme conditions, hardship and loss.
Damian Warman (pictured), General Manager of Jersey War Tunnels, said: “Guests often leave the Tunnels expressing gratitude not just for the experience but for the life they lead today, in peace. This proposed memorial is about capturing that emotion and translating it into a permanent, public place of reflection; one that acknowledges the island’s past and speaks to future generations.”
