The RGLI’s War In Photograph and Film

The First World War saw many innovations not least among them was the development of a form of mass media – copious recordings of events both in print, photographs and film on a scale not seen before.

We have a plethora of real time recordings of events that illuminate, educate and terrify us in equal measure. In this article we look at some of the media coverage that was created around ‘Guernsey’s Own Pals Battalion’ – The Royal Guernsey Light Infantry. From its inception, training and bloody initiation into ‘the war to end all wars’ – The First World War.

Note : Photographs have been reproduced with kind permission of the Priaulx Libray , the Imperial War Museum along with some photographs from the Quevatre family.



The RGLI's War - A Media Gallery
  • Early Volunteers

    1915
    Recruiting for war and the 16th irish division, St Peter Port 1915
    The Guernsey Volunteers 1915
    Guernseymen departing for the 16th Irish Regiment from the White Rock, St. Peter Port, 1915
    Original movie footage of the Guernseymen departing for the 16th Irish Division on March 4th 1915

    D Company, 7th Royal Irish Fusiliers
  • More Volunteers & the Formation of 'Guernseys Own' - The RGLI

    1916
    March 1916 : The Militia Send Another Contingent to the 6th Royal Irish Regiment

  • RGLI Training, Off to War, First Engagements with the Enemy

    1917
    RGLI Camp, Grandes Rocques
    Musketry Practice, Vazon, April 1917. No 12 Platoon
    Farewell to the RGLI - Colours and drums presentation to RGLI L
    Farewell to the RGLI - presentation of Drums, Flags and Bugles
    Gymkhana by the 1st RGLI, May 24, 1917
    The Band of the 1st Battalion RGLI
    Mascot of RGLI, June 1st, 1917
    Departure of the RGLI June 1917
    Departure of the RGLI June 1917
    RGLI on Route March from Bourne Camp, June 1917
    Tomatoes sent from Guernsey by the Growers Association arrive at Bourne Park. It was intended to raise morale at home and this photograph was duly published in the Guernsey Weekly Press on 28th July 1917. Back row from L to R : Sgt Albeck & Corporal Le Messurier. Front row from L to R Lnce-Corp W. T. Robinson & Qtr masters J.Deveau, C.H. Howlett, J.E. Nicholls & H. Heaume.
    Training at Bourne Park - Robinson Takes a Prisoner
    Lewis Gun training, Bourne Park
    More Lewis Gun training at Sandwich in Kent
    Tom Brehaut shaves Sammy Hooper Bourne Park, Canterbury
    Lance Corporal T.J. Quevatre (back row 2nd from left) and Comrades, Bourne Park, Canterbury
    A Route March with fixed bayonets Bourne Park, Canterbury
    A Route March with fixed bayonets Bourne Park, Canterbury
    A Class learning how to use a range-finder Bourne Park, Canterbury
    Larking about in Bourne Park, Canterbury - A sobering reminder that these were young vibrant Guernseymen
    RGLI In Transit Somewhere in France - Date Unknown
    The Soldiers Week in Camp - Postcard sent back home by Sergeant TJ Quevatre
    Sergeant TJ Quevatre of the RGLI
    RGLI Being Transported By Railway - Date Unknown
    The RGLI Attack Neuf Wood with 86 Brigade.
    The RGLI During the Battle of Cambrai. Note the German prisoners in the centre
    The German Counter attack against the RGLI : 30th Nov to 2nd December 1917
    The German Counter attack against the RGLI : 30th Nov to 2nd December 1917
    Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey, General Sir Reginald Clare Hart VC GCB KCVO.
  • 'With Our Backs to the Wall', Rearguard, Casualties, Victory

    1918
    The Kaiserschlacht 1918 Offensive
    The RGLI Action at Doulieu
    The Royal Guernsey Light Infantry in the Square at Montreuil where they supplied all GHQ Guards
    The Royal Guernsey Light Infantry in the Square at Montreuil where they supplied all GHQ Guards
    King George V inspects the RGLI in company of French President Poincarre
    British General Headquarters at the Ecole Militaire Montreuil, showing the Guard of the Guernsey Light Infantry, 1918
    Two sentries of the Guernsey Light Infantry on guard duty outside Orderly Room Entrance, GHQ, Montreuil, 15th September 1918.
    Commander-in-Chiefs Guard of the Guernsey Light Infantry, at the Chateau de Beaurepaire, near Montreuil, 15 September 1918
    The
    Lieutenant A H Scott and men of the Guernsey Light Infantry near Montreuil, 26 October 1918.
    Photograph of the men from the RGLI taken just 2 or 3 weeks before the Armistice came into force on November 11th 1918. Movement order no 2. (30th October 1918) had instructed B and C Companies of the 1st Battalion RGLI to move from Ecuires to Rang du Fliers on the following day.
    B Coy RGLI La Folie France Nov 30 1918
    B Coy Sergts Dec 1918 in France. Standing Sgts Le Gallez, Martel, Archer, Couch, Hamelin, Jehan. Seated CSM H Heaume, Capt B Jones, CQMS W R Symons
  • Peace & Homeward Bound

    1919
    Receiving a Consecrated Flag
    Receiving a Consecrated Flag
    Receiving a Consecrated Flag
    Receiving a Consecrated Flag
    The RGLI Returns Home
    Returned From the War
    Welcome Home Arch - High Street
    Peace is Declared in Market Square
    Unveiling of the Islands War Memorial

Author: Robert

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