2024 Foreign Field Trip – Jersey
The Artillery Club’s 2024 Foreign Field Trip took place in Jersey, from Sunday,
20 November through Thursday, 24 November. As with the successful trips in 2015 to Madrid and Segovia, in 2016 to Granada and Malaga, in 2017 to Lisbon, in 2018 to Vienna, and in 2019 to Athens, Commandant Michael Flood (Retd) was the Field Trip Coordinator. He was ably assisted by Lieutenant-Colonel Cormac Lalor (Retd), whose extensive local knowledge and links to the community, also contributed to the success of the Field Trip,
Twenty-seven personnel participated in the Field Trip, which was open to registered members of the Artillery Club, and their respective spouses or partners. Participants stayed in the Premier Inn, located at Charing Cross within the heart of Jersey, near the city’s main sights, and close to its transport hub.
The Artillery Club paid a courtesy call to His Excellency Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd CBE, Lieutenant Governor of Jersey. His Excellency served as an Officer in the Royal Navy for thirty-seven years during which he has held several senior appointments. Most recently, Vice Admiral Kyd served as Fleet Commander, which is the Royal Navy’s most senior Warfare Officer and is second in command to the First Sea Lord. The Delegation was led by the Club’s President, Colonel Pat White (Retd), and consisted of Brigadier-General Paul Pakenham (Retd), Colonel Tom Carter (Retd), Lieutenant-Colonel Cormac Lalor (Retd), and Commandant Michael Flood (Retd).
Participants visited the Jersey War Tunnels, which relates the fascinating history of the Second World War. The Group experienced what life was like during the German occupation of the island. The complex, dug over 30 meters deep, consists of a vast network of underground tunnels, was originally designed as an artillery repair and storage area, and later converted into an emergency underground hospital in 1943.
On route to the Tunnels, the Group visited St Matthew’s Church. Florence Boot decided to honour her late husband Jesse, the owner of the Boots Chemist, by rebuilding St Matthew’s in his memory. Accordingly, she commissioned René Lalique to decorate the entire church with his glass work. Thus since 1934, St Matthew’s became known as the Glass Church. Participants viewed two frosted glass angels set in the double entrance doors, the towering cross above the altar, and four crystalline angels in a side altar. The church font, forged in glass, is autographed by René Lalique.
Participants were free to organise their own activities in Jersey. Some endured adverse weather conditions and took a Condor Ferry for a day trip to St Malo in France. Others went on a half day guided bus tour of Jersey, visiting Brelades Bay, Corbière Lighthouse, and Gorey. Saint Aubins Bay provided ample scope for walks along the beach, and for the brave a swim in the Gulf Stream.
For obvious reasons, Elizabeth Castle was an attraction for many. Availing of a ferry to reach the Castle, some participants explored the fortifications on their own, while others availed of a guided tour and duly “volunteered” to conduct a display of Gun Drill. Sites visited included Bastions, the Guard Room, Parade Ground, Soldiers’ Barracks, Officers’ Quarters, the German Coast Defence Bunker, Hermitage Rock where St Helier lived, and the Lower and Upper Keep which includes the German Observation Tower.
Lieutenant-Colonel Cormac Lalor (Retd) conducted a very informative and interesting guided tour of St Helier, encompassing the Statue of the Toad, King Street, Rivoli Clock, Royal Square (Battle of Jersey), States Building, The Lamplighter, Jersey Museum, and Liberation Square, with the impressive Liberation Sculpture unveiled in May 1995 marking the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Jersey.
On the final night, Participants assembled in Mano’s Bistro Restaurant for a most enjoyable dinner, with the Club’s President Colonel Pat White formally thanking Commandant Michael Flood (Retd) for planning and executing the successful and memorable trip to Jersey, assisted by Lieutenant-Colonel Cormac Lalor (Retd).
Photographs courtesy of Brigadier-General Paul Pakenham (Retd), with Commandant Rory de Bruir and Capt Eoin Wolohan (Retd) providing the Gun Crew photographs taken in Elizabeth Castle. To view slide show, please click on any of the photographs.
