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This was photo taken during the German Occupation of Jersey and depicts the Funeral Service of Sergeants Butlin and Holden.
The funeral was at Mont a l'Abbe cemetery (6/06/43) and shows R.A.F Sergeants Butlin and Holden who were shot down over Jersey. It is conjectured that full military honours were given to try and keep the local inhabitants peaceful.
Please see:-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gora_gray/1417416133/
Message: Below is an extract from 1943 Diary of William Troy, Editor of the Jersey Evening Post during the occupation. These diaries are at
present being transcribed.
Friday 4
Little warmer, wind dropped but dull but with some slight rain in
evening
Heard today of Sgt Peter Butlin RAF picked up from water xx been in 3
or 4 weeks. Tomorrow morning funeral from Hospital Chapel, many of us
determined to go. Over 100 wreaths, many of them in Red White and
Blue, have been sent. The Bailiff, is to attend funeral service.
Germans insist no demonstration and all police force warned for
tomorrow morning to keep people from getting near. In afternoon I had
a meeting with JAC & presented my accounts which were all approved.
Saturday 5
Dull weather, little rain
Got up early 6.25 to go to the funeral of RAF pilot picked up off the
coast. Ted Le Cocq, George Boudin & Kay were going with me but just
before we had got as far as the STxx we met Leslie Sinel who told us
funeral had been postponed as another RAF body had been found and both
were to be buried tomorrow morning.
Note from editor the other RAF pilot was Sgt. Holden
Sunday 6
Fair weather, wind dropped.
Rise early to attend funeral, left Kay in bed, Ted, Bill and George
Boudin went with me, we stood on Parade in front of Hospital Chapel, I
thought it only appropriate. Two hearses had several fine wreaths in
Red White and Blue and two Mourning candles, the coffins covered with
Union Jacks and with a wreath from the people of Jersey and one from
the Luftwaffe. Impressed to see German Officer Cepperice standing to
salute when the coffins were placed in the hearse. Upwards of 1,000 and
many more lining the route to the cemetery. Afterwards I went to mass
and then to the EP office were met Censor Baumer, story of the report
of the funeral was there prepared.
-----------------------------------------------------
Butlin and Holden were repatriated after the war.
This extract is from the Diary of William Troy written throughout the
Occupation and is used by kind permission of Peter Anthony Troy his
Grandson. peter.troy@the-publicist.co.uk
Ref: 2021-10-20-0003
Location: Jersey
