Latest news with #Guernsey-born
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Emotional day' as memorial reunited with family
A token memorial of a Guernsey-born officer killed while flying in the US during World War Two has been united with his family. Sub-Lieutenant Sylvester Kenneth Rabey, also known as "Sly", was tragically killed in an accident in North Windham in Maine on 26 January 1944. His memorial was found by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Cemetery in Maine. Volunteers created a rubbing of the memorial, which involves transferring the design of the gravestone on to paper, to give to Sub Lt Rabey's family before Liberation Day. Sub Lt Rabey, who was born in Guernsey, was evacuated to Oldham aged 16 before the German Occupation of the island. Later on, he joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as a sub-lieutenant and was then sent to the United States to train. His niece, Sue Aldwell, was gifted the piece at Guernsey Airport. "I heard about Sylvester all my life, he was my father's hero," he said. "To bring him home it has been an emotional day." It was the first gravestone rubbing to be united with family members and it is all part of a project called Bringing the Boys Back Home to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two. It was flown in by "Ready for Duty", a Douglas R4D-6S which served for the US Navy, during World War Two. It is the last of its kind still flying. Volunteers from the Commemorative Air Force said they were honouring 423 British servicemen who were killed while training in the US during the war and remain on American soil. Once the graves were found, the volunteers made rubbings of each headstone to be reunited with the servicemen's families overseas. Chris Volpe, the wing leader of the Dallas Fort Worth Wing for Commemorative Air Force, helped to bring the memento to the island. Mr Volpe said he "couldn't put into words" what the project meant. "This is the beginning of the story," he said. More news stories for Guernsey Listen to the latest news for Guernsey Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to What happened in the Channel Islands during WW2? Event to mark 80th anniversary of evacuees' return 'I was evacuated in WW2 and met Agatha Christie' Commemorative Air Force
BBC News
22-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Torquay's Hamon dreaming of Gulls' EFL return
Torquay United goalkeeper James Hamon says a promotion for the Gulls would be the first step on their dream of returning to the English Football Gulls were relegated from League Two in 2014 and almost went out of business a year ago. Torquay are second on goal difference in National League South going into the final game of the know that if they can win Saturday's game at Hemel Hempstead by three more goals than leaders Truro beat St Albans City they will be three points cover the top six teams in the sixth tier league in one of the closest promotion races in years. "It's another step closer to Football League and all National league, National League North and National League South teams aspire to be back in the Football League," Torquay's Guernsey-born goalkeeper Hamon said. "Torquay's a massive club and it probably belongs in the Football League, so to be part of that journey to propel this club back to where it belongs is massive."That in itself is the carrot in front of us all to try and get what we call the holy grail, back in the Football League."Hopefully by getting the right result on Saturday and things going our way we will be one step closer to where we want to be." Having played for Guernsey FC Hamon, who is also an accomplished golfer, moved to then-League Two side Exeter City in 2014 before a spell at Truro followed former Truro boss Paul Wotton to Torquay in the summer and has been first choice this season. "The gaffer has done brilliantly, I think we had one registered player at the start of the season, so it's all fresh faces," said Hamon."We've gelled really well, it's been a great achievement in the dressing room."The atmosphere has been fantastic and we know what it means to the fans, we know what it means to the club and most of all we want it desperately ourselves."It's not often you get that dressing room, sometimes you find that people are there for themselves, but this couldn't be further from that, everyone's in it together, everyone wants to win for each other and succeed together, which is fantastic."I just hope it's enough to get us over the line."
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
No portrait of the King on new Guernsey bank notes
Guernsey's new bank note designs will draw upon original artworks by islanders, but will not have a portrait of the King, the States' Treasurer has said. The family of £1, £5, £10 and £20 polymer notes are set to enter circulation in 2027 and will feature images of the island's natural and built landscape. It follows an open call for submissions by The States of Guernsey last year – with the three successful designs selected by a panel from 26 submissions. Guernsey-born artist Hayley Mallett and photographer Rachael de la Mare collaborated on designs for the front of the notes, while the back of the notes are set to feature the work of urban architect Natasha The notes were last redesigned in the 1990s with a portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II, but the new designs will not feature the British Monarch King Charles III. States' Treasurer Bethan Haines said: "It is only the last set of notes that Guernsey produced that included the monarch. "We wanted to return to them being purely about Guernsey and more timeless." Some of the designs are said to capture the Bailiwick's flora and fauna while others feature Guernsey's historic structures and natural landscape. Ms Mallett said she could not wait to reveal her designs which were based on photographs taken by Ms de la Mare and created "using thread and beadwork". She said she hoped the designs captured the essence of the islands and would bring "a sense of pride and joy" in the Bailiwick. China-born urban architect Natasha who moved to the island a few years ago, said she was inspired to enter the competition to "tell a story about the magical "granite rock" in the Channel Islands. "Through my designs, I sincerely aim to let the world know about and appreciate this beautiful island," she said Once finalised the designs will be handed over to currency specialists De La Rue – a company founded in Guernsey. Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Islanders asked to design new bailiwick banknotes Artists asked to submit work for annual show States of Guernsey
