Jersey veterans say not enough is done to recognise their service

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Clive Kemp
Image caption,

Clive Kemp said the island should do more to recognise the service of veterans

Jersey-born veterans of the Normandy landings say not enough is done by their home island to recognise their service.

One veteran, Clive Kemp, said in Normandy they are treated like royalty. "Nothing is ever too much for them, and they make us feel really special."

He was awarded France's highest honour, the Legion d'Honneur, for his service.

Jersey chief minister, Senator Ian Gorst, promised some kind of recognition but that has been delayed.

There were plans for a presentation in September but that has been put back with no fixed date set.

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Let's face it, if we hadn't gone over to France in 1944, Jersey would still be ruled by the Nazis.

Clive Kemp

Clive Kemp

  • Left Jersey aged 19 and was sent to France with just a few weeks training

  • After getting away on one of the last ships out of Dunkirk, he worked in London digging up unexploded bombs

  • He then trained as a bridging engineer and was one of the first to land on Sword Beach on D-Day

  • He built vital Bailey Bridges across occupied Europe, often under fire, so tanks could get across and press home their attack

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Mr Kemp said several veterans have left behind wives and children.

"I'd like to see a medal presented to the men's widows," he said, "So they can have something which shows their island appreciates what their husbands did.

"Let's face it, if we hadn't gone over to France in 1944, Jersey would still be ruled by the Nazis."

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