Fought between 1 July and 18 November 1916, the Somme was one of the largest and bloodiest battles of the war. More than one million men were killed, wounded or reported missing during the four-month campaign.
Guernsey made its own contribution, with two infantry companies and a machine-gun section joining the 16th (Irish) Division, while a Divisional Ammunition Column was formed from the Royal Guernsey Artillery and sent to the 9th (Scottish) Division.
The stamps
The four
stamps reflect different aspects of the Guernseymen’s experience of the Somme.
Guernsey soldiers serving with the 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, are depicted in the trenches during the fighting in September 1916 (£0.75 value), highlighting the harsh conditions faced by those at the frontline.
The fierce fighting at Guillemont and Ginchy is captured in a scene showing Guernsey infantry alongside their Irish comrades (£1.45 value). The fighting came at a terrible cost, with 19 Guernseymen serving with the 6th Royal Irish Regiment killed or subsequently dying of wounds during the early September battles.
The vital work carried out behind the frontline is represented by Guernsey artillerymen serving in the Divisional Ammunition Column of the 9th (Scottish) Division (£2.96 value), transporting ammunition forward to support the guns and infantry.
Finally, a post-war memorial image (£4.86 value) provides a poignant link between the events of 1916 and remembrance, commemorating the Guernseymen who lost their lives. Their names are recorded in the island’s Roll of Honour.
Bridget
Yabsley, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post, said: “More than a century later,
it is important that we continue to remember the Guernseymen who served during
the Battle of the Somme, and those who never returned home. These stamps tell
just a small part of their story, but they help keep their memory alive and
remind us of the contribution our islanders made during this pivotal period in
history.”