The Great War 1914-18 didn’t touch the Channel Islands directly. True, many Jerseymen joined up to fight, and many never returned. And a POW camp popped up on the sand dunes with hundreds of Germans enjoying a little holiday there. But generally speaking, life in our quiet island continued as normal.
On the site of the present day Highlands College was a Jesuit school, Notre Dame de Bon Secours. On 6th July 1915 a group of students set off for their annual picnic with a school master. Their destination was Portelet Bay on Jersey’s south-west coast.
The weather was poor – cloudy and windy. Nonetheless the boys, seeing the tide receding, decided to bathe. Few were able to swim, but ventured into the shallower waters off the western edge of the causeway leading over to Janvrin’s tomb.
It appears that a large wave swept the boys over the causeway to the deeper waters on the other side.
Eight boys were drowned.
Back On The Rock 
Roy, I can’t “Like” this; it’s not likeable, in particular the last line. Instead I’ll say, “an interesting read!”
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Jane it’s chilling, especially when so many thousands have holidayed or strolled around there (me included) oblivious to what once happened.
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Wow.
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You remind us of all the history most of us don’t know. This is a fascinating (though sad) read. But I think an important one. So many are caught up in the “woe is me” theme when instead, they should look around and see woe is NOT them. There’s a lot more woe around, and many people did not survive wars and crises in the past. (Ugh, this sounds rather depressing now that I read it back, but I think you get my gist…)
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Thanks Pam. Yes indeed, here 16 parents bereaved in an instant, and those boys had brothers and sisters. It probably rated a headline in the local paper on Day 1, a half column Day 2, then forgotten about, apart from those involved. Life is fragile.
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Life is fragile yet each one important to him/her self and family. Hope you are well and running to alleviate stress! I’m walking as much as possible. ;-0
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Just so Pam, and I think our current plight is helping us to become a little more empathic towards others. Yeah, I’m heading down to the local athletics track each evening to let off the excess energy 🙂 Keep well.
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A sad tale – a reminder that one day our seemingly ordinary lives will be part of a rich history, perhaps forgotten, perhaps retold. What part in history will we take?
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Thanks ER. A favourite theme of mine – every one of us has a story to tell yet most of those stories die with us. Those poor lads never had a chance to write their stories.
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