The Cenotaph
The Parade, St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands, JE2 3QP.
Rating: 5.0 ★ (1 rating)
Details
The Cenotaph in St Helier, Jersey, is a significant war memorial dedicated to islanders who lost their lives in the World Wars and other conflicts. Constructed of grey granite from La Moye Quarries in St Brelade, it was unveiled in 1923, replacing a temporary wooden structure that had stood for five years after the Great War. The design features an ornamental pedestal with a pylon, supporting a sarcophagus which contains a hermetically sealed chamber holding a roll of names of those commemorated. The entire structure is raised on a graduated platform in the shape of a St Andrew's Cross.
The Cenotaph serves as a central point for remembrance ceremonies, including Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, where officials and the public gather to pay their respects. It also hosts other commemorative events such as ANZAC Day services and D-Day anniversary observations. Inscriptions on the Cenotaph read "OUR GLORIOUS DEAD,/their name liveth/for ever more" on the south face, and "JERSEY/A SES ENFANTS/MORTS/POUR LA PATRIE" on the north face, with the dates "1914/1918" and "1939/1945" on the east face. It is surrounded by railings and set within a small, well-tended area, providing a solemn space for reflection.
Location
Opening Hours
Open access, however specific event times vary. For example, the ANZAC Day Dawn Service gathers at 05:45. Remembrance Sunday services typically involve gatherings around 10:30 - 10:45 for an 11:00 silence. The Field of Remembrance opening has been noted to occur around 13:15.
Contact
For queries regarding memorials: [email protected].