Royal Guernsey Light Infantry

Royal Guernsey Light Infantry

Name: Simon Jones
Date: 15 May 2001

Comments:

enjoyed your website very much having found it at the top of a Google search - great stuff

BTW I have an amazing photo album full of excellent (quality & volume of) RGLI photographs left to me by my late Great Uncle Barry Jones - if anyone is intrested I might scan in a few and stick them on a site somewhere - let me know...

great stuff and keep up the good work...

Simon

PS: I recently put together a small website for my Uncle (after the RGLI he became an actor) - http://website.lineone.net/~simon.jones/bjindex.htm

From: Mike Young - mikesyoung@sympatico.ca
Sent: Tuesday, 15 May 2001 9:01 PM
To: simon.jones@lineone.net
Subject: RE: Guernsey LI Guest Book Comments

Hi Simon. Thank you for your note. I will add a link to your site and would be happy to add any pictures to the site to you. Of course you we be given credit and retain ownership. Or if you put them on your own site, I would add a link.

Mike

www.lightinfantry.org is a non-profit project maintained by Mike Young

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Tuesday, 15 May 2001 10:03 PM
To: Mike Young

Hi Mike - I that's great - issue I guess is finding some time - don't worry will find it and get a few sample shots up there - best regards and keep up the good work, Simon

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Wednesday, 16 May 2001 3:33 PM
To: peter@museum.guernsey.net
Cc: Simon C Le P Jones (E-mail)
Subject: help with a finding contact interested in the RGLI

Dear Mr Sarl,

I found your e-mail address on the Guernsey Museums & Galleries website and now trust that you do not mind me seeking your advice re relevant contacts you might have who may be interested in sharing information regarding the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry (RGLI).

I was lucky enough to be left a large collection of WWI RGLI photographs taken by my Great Uncle, Barry Jones, who served with them in WWI - he later became a relatively successful character actor before finally
retiring back to Le Catioroc at La Perelle.

Whilst I can never imagine parting with such a unique family collection, I am more than happy to share some of these photographs with interested parties - issue is that I now live in Sydney, Australia so best method maybe for me to scan a selection of photographs and post these onto a website

Anyway that's all detail to covered off when there is actually anyone out there that you know of who might be interested.

I look forward to receiving any suggestions.

Many thanks & best regards,

Simon

Simon C Le P Jones - Tel +612 9440 3539

From: Peter Sarl
Sent: Wednesday, 16 May 2001 06:19
To: Simon Jones
Cc: Brian R Owen
Subject: Re: help with a finding contact interested in the RGLI

Dear Simon

Thank you for your message and your continuing interest in the island.

We are always looking for new images, and it may well be that you have some that would be of interest to us. I also understand you desire to keep the originals!

I have forwarded your message to Brian Owen our Social History Officer, who has a particular interest in the RGLI. He is very busy putting together a new museum so it may take a little while to receive a response.

Regards

Peter Sarl
Director of Museums

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Thursday, 17 May 2001 12:02
To: 'Peter Sarl'
Cc: Brian R Owen
Subject: RE: help with a finding contact interested in the RGLI

Dear Peter,

Many thanks for your prompt response and the referral to Brian Owen who from his separate e-mail to me appears to be just the right contact - very much appreciated.

Regards,

Simon

From: Brian R Owen - brian@museum.guernsey.net
Sent: Wednesday, 16 May 2001 11:59
To: Simon Jones
Subject: RGLI 1917-18

Dear Simon,

I was just sending another mesage and saw yours, passed on by Peter Sarl.

Yes, I am very interested to know of your photographs and the Barry Jones
link.

He was a pre-war Militia officer who, as well as serving with the RGLI, also volunteered to go with the Guernsey contingent which joined the Royal Irish Regiment. He was transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers and
then returned to Guernsey when the RGLI was formed.

Are any of the photographs or locations named? If so I should be very pleased to have any details. How many photos are there?

As Peter said, I am very tied up until mid-July with a new museum project, but not so much that I cannot continue to communicate with you!

regards

Brian Owen
Social History Officer
Guernsey Museums & Galleries, Candie Gardens
St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 1UG
Tel: +44(0)1481 706963 Fax: +44(0)1481 728671

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Thursday, 17 May 2001 3:58 PM
To: brian@museum.guernsey.net
Cc: petercjones@onetel.net.uk
Subject: RE: RGLI 1917-18

Dear Brian,

Many thanks for your speedy response and especially for the notes that you gave re my Uncle's seemingly varied WWI Army career -

>>Are any of the photographs or locations named<< some time since I dug them out, but from memory I thin ka whole load of them are - also think that my Father (CC'd here) may have one of the albums as last time I looked I could not find it - will check this evening. As for number, never counted but lots - will let you know.

My Uncle also left me a whole stack of albums from his acting years and years ago I wrote up some of his notes & cuttings into a document - a few years back I put these onto a website - whilst not what you are looking for re RGLI it might be of interest - think the first page has some RGLI reference via a press setting. Have a look at: http://website.lineone.net/~simon.jones/bjindex.htm

A somewhat 'dramatic cutting from that time says:

1914 - 1921
On the outbreak of the First World War he joined the Army in August 1914, serving with the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry and the Royal Irish Fusiliers 16th Division until February 1921.

The Morning Telegraph, NY, Clare Ogden, Sunday 29 May 1927

"Young Barry joined up, ten days after war was declared, with the Royal Irish Fusiliers. He had the hereditary right to join the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry, that company which is made up of the men who came over with William the Conqueror and who fought so bravely with him at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 AD that they were promised, along with the freedom of the Isle of Guernsey, that they could never be called to war by the English king except when he personally led them to battle. Since George V of England, who is merely the Duke of Normandy to Guernsey men, didn't lead his troops, the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry was not called out.

He was seriously wounded in France in March 1916, while with the Sixteenth (Irish) Division. He went home to Guernsey to recover from that wound and shell shock. Later he went back to the army, and after the war was over was transferred to the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry. He stayed with that outfit until February 1921. He announced to a complacent family, that he was going on the stage".

Recently I was in touch with the current owner of Le Catioroc and I placed on another website a selection of the many Le Catioroc photographs that I have - again not directly RGLI relevant bust again may be of interest. Have a look at: http://members4.clubphoto.com/simon296128/Le_Catioroc_La_Perrelle_Guernsey_CI_Page_1/

Anyway now that I know there is interest form you end I will dig out the RGLI pictures and let you know more + will scan in a few samples for you.

Finally, fully understand that you are pretty much tied up until mid-July on your new project, but look forward to progressing once you have more time.

Very best regards,

Simon

From: Brian R Owen
Sent: Thursday, 17 May 2001 6:40 PM
To: Simon Jones
Subject: Re: Barry Jones

Dear Simon,

Thanks for the fascinating insight into the material you have! I've just become engrossed in the two websites despite what I should be doing! The catioroc pictures are a splendid record, and you did a good job of writing up BJ's career. The piece by Clare Ogden on his military career was a mess though! He was badly wounded in 1916 though. I should be able to sort out a correct outline of BJ's service, although sadly, most military records were destroyed in 1940 before the Occupation.

I really look forward to seeing a selection of the RGLI pictures.

Best wishes

Brian

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Thursday, 17 May 2001 8:47 PM
To: Brian R Owen
Cc: Peter Jones
Subject: RE: Barry Jones

Dear Brian,

Great to hear that you enjoyed the sites - all a bit of a mess really but I guess in far more order than if I had never started out!

Anyway, on getting home just now I dug out my box file of RGLI pictures - first off I can't believe how many photographs there are. In my mind I remember all of the pictures being neatly in their album, but to my horror on revisiting it I find that a huge number have been literally ripped out of the album (where they were neatly written up) and are now sadly separated in an envelope.

I seem to recall that shortly after I got the album in early the early 1980's it was borrowed by a someone (no idea who but my parents may know - CC'd here) - after a huge amount of time I got the album came back, obviously in this very sorry state of repair.

Whoever vandalised the album (strong, but only word for it!) has in the most part labeled the back of the pic's - my wife who enjoys a good puzzle has said she will try and piece it back together!

In the interim all rather sorry, but on the positive side no lack of material and amazing seeing them again how good the quality of photography was then!

Well I will see what we can do with the restoration of the album (don't hold your breath as currently looks very sad) and as we progress I will scan in a few sample shots for you to get going with - hard to know where to start with so many, so guess a guide from you as to what you reckon might be interesting would help!

Many thanks for showing interest and lets hope I can get you something of back over time.

Finally, I would be fascinated to learn any more that you have re his Army career and have to say that his being wounded had struck me, wrongly it now seems, as a touch of dramatic affectation! So, anything you have gratefully received in return.

Best regards,

Simon

PS: I attach a sample shot - not all like this but a good taster... [001a.jpg / 001.jpg & 003.jpg]

PPS: did you notice the ones taken by the Germans and left behind at the chemist - my favourites as just extraordinary record for Le Catioroc...

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Thursday, 17 May 2001 9:07 PM
To: Brian R Owen
Cc: Peter Jones
Subject: RE: Barry Jones

Also just realised that I have a whole stack of "The Guernsey Society" meeting minutes - seemingly meetings held in London during 1943 re the occupation - more I look at this stuff the more seem to be relevant....

From: Brian R Owen
Sent: Friday, 18 May 2001 11:34 PM
To: Simon Jones
Subject: Re: Barry Jones etc

Dear Simon,

If all the material you have is like the samples then you really have something good. The two Herm photos are splendid. The barracks are still there, used as holiday cottages now. I can't make out where the large group photo was taken, the background isn't quite clear enough. I'll see if I can get a better print out.

The RGLI material is splendid enough , but to add the news about Greta Williams' autobiography is something else! We did a major exhibition on the Stella disaster in 1999, the centenary year. A book was published too, and the authors worked closely with us. Someone, I can't remember who now, located a reference to Greta's autobiography and we knew that it had been given to BJ. We assumed it was lost forever! Greta Williams figures large in the Stella story as a brave woman who comforted survivors in a lifeboat by singing hymns. She later went on to achieve some success as an opera and concert singer.

I am really so pleased that you have the volume! Have you any more surprises?

Best wishes

Brian

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Saturday, 19 May 2001 10:02 AM
To: Brian R Owen
Cc: Peter Jones
Subject: RE: Barry Jones etc

Dear Brian,

All of the RGLI pictures are written up on the back and this was obviously done before being pasted into the album all those years ago. In more recent times whoever ripped them out of the album has left strips of the black album pages stuck all over the writing on the back - guess we could take this off but worried about damaging the prints so will leave well alone!

I presume that when in place in their album they had all been marked up - anyway it's a wet weekend in Sydney (it does happen!) so time to see if we can piece some of this stuff together! What I might do over time is scan the better pic's at high resolution and burn the files onto a CD-ROM for you - might take some time though!

Regarding the Greta Williams autobiography - to be honest never thought much of it as to the contemporary used to typewritten eye its a tad hard to read at first! That said my wife has been having a go and starting to crack the code!

Guess we could transcribe this for you - but willing to take your advice on what best to do with it. Do you know of any living relatives? Can only say how sorry I am that its been "rediscovered" a few years too late for your centenary exhibition.

What else do I have - well lots and lots on Le Catioroc (did you like the shots of the Germans?) at various stages of its building process (have to say I really loved visiting there as fascinating place and full of all BJ's acting ephemera.

I also have a whole stack of papers to do with the Guernsey Society meetings held in London during the Occupation and then all these RGLI pictures which although in great condition are sadly so spoiled by being ripped form their album.

I will have a dig through what else might be of interest - your comments much approached

Best regards,

Simon

PS: Would be very interested in getting hold of a copy of the Stella disaster book - do you have an ISBN number for it? Also if you want to put the authors in touch with me more than happy - but will take your guidance on that....

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Saturday, 19 May 2001 12:50 PM
To: brian@museum.guernsey.net
Subject: Other stuff....

Dear Brian,

Further to my earlier e-mail I have rediscovered a whole stack on manuscripts written I by BJ as I guess the material for an autobiography that never happened - there are pages and pages....

As a sample please find the attached MS Word file for the section he calls 1914 and on - what I have done here is to use my scanner and OCR software - whilst this reduces all typing requirements it is still a fairly protracted task as the OCR software does not pick up handwritten corrections & annotations on the manuscript! Anyway the attached doc is the first 11 pages of 78 on 1914 and on - essentially too big a task time wise for me just now and questionable interest - though leave the sample to you - later pages full of names which I assume would be interesting?

In the same folder there are literally hundreds of carefully typed pages (hence the OCR programme works so well!) covering his early family days in Guernsey, school at Elizabeth College, Le Catioroc (stacks more than put up to date), "when I first met" (a section on acting greats), the Benson school - and then huge amounts of acting material re US & Canada, etc

Seeing all this stuff it's somewhat intimidating re volume of material - but weighing this up against external interest is key to how much effort to put in - and time of course which is scarce!

Anyway let me know if you like the RGLI stuff and I will slowly scan in the other 1914 and on pages as this would I imagine be interesting, although all a tad flowery in its writing!

Let me know,

Simon

PS: where there really Wallaby on Herm - or is this the CI equivalent of Australian Drop Bears?!

From: Brian R Owen
Sent: Tuesday, 22 May 2001 7:00 PM
To: Simon Jones
Subject: Re: Barry Jones etc

Dear Simon,

Many thanks for sending the further batches of material. You're a bit like a conjurer pulling rabbits out of a hat! Suffice it to say that everything I've seen is splendid. I haven't seen such good Militia photos in a long
time. I had eventually worked out that the first group photo must have been taken at Grandes Rocques and went there last Satuirday to check it out. I was pleased therefore when you confirmed it! I'm glad you are able to piece the album together.

The extract from BJ's autobiographical notes made very good reading. The sty;e is very much of its time. If it is no trouble I should certainly likie to see more. There really were wallabies on Herm! Blucher introduced them. He also brought in Eagle Owls. This may be what BJ's men caught although I should think it would have put up a good fight!

With regard to the Greta Williams material, I have to contact one of the two "Stella" book authors over the next few days, so I will mention it. I hope he will know whether there are any relatives. I will keep you informed on that, and put him in contact with you if it looks promising.

The ISBN number of "The Wreck of the Stella" is 20008048. I hope you are able to get a sight of a copy. John Barnes incidentally was the son of the family that Greta and her sister were travelling with for a short holiday in Guernsey. He didn't survive.

I'd better leave it there! If there is a delay in my answering your messages, please don't think its because I'm not interested! It will be because of pressure of work!!

Many thanks again

With best wishes.

Brian

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Tuesday, 22 May 2001 7:56 PM
To: Brian R Owen

Brian,

Thanks for your reply.

Piecing the album together I guess will never happen - far too gone, but pics in very good condition

I will carry on with the BJ notes and post them to the website - will have to wait for more wet weather though as only on page 11 of 76! Amazed about the Wallaby's!

Susie (my wife) and I have started to type up the Great Williams book - again quiet a task as finding it hard to read having got so used to not reading handwriting! An interesting account with suggested love story interest too between Greta & Jack Barnes! - see file of work to date attached - needs formatting, etc...

Uncle Barry's essentially suggests in his foreword that one of her nieces as good as stole the ring that was being sent to him by Greta!! - suggest that we might tread carefully here even if they are all probably long gone?

Give me a call if you want to chat +612 9440 3539 - or failing that I can call you if you let me have your number - we are +9 hours ahead

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