THE moment a defaced red flag was hoisted by the St Helier Yacht Club – in recognition of its efforts to evacuate British troops from St Malo during World War Two – was re-enacted this afternoon.
The ensign was awarded the club a battle honor in 1952 by the British Admiralty, for helping to rescue soldiers from the French harbor in the summer of 1940 as German forces advanced.
As well as the sign, the club has also modified its burgee by adding the crossed axes of St Helier on a blue shield. The new colors were hoisted in a clubhouse ceremony on September 27, 1952.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the ceremony, a re-enactment of the ensign hoisting took place this afternoon – with the help of Assistant Usher Robert MacRae and three of the club’s former cadets who were present at the original event.
One of the former cadets, Eve Battrick, said: “Of course the brave [were those] went to St Malo to help evacuate people fleeing the Germans. They did a very good job and that was their reward.
St Helier Yacht Club Commodore Rhys Perkins said: “One of the things Governor [former Lieutenant-Governor Sir Edward Grasett] said when he first hoisted our defaced red ensign in 1952, that was how important it was that this very important event be recorded and repeated.
