Fort George Citadel and Military Cemetery
Guernsey
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Fort George was built as the island garrison for the British Army around the beginning of the 19th century. Known as ‘Georg-Feste’ by German occupying forces, it was used as the HQ for the Luftwaffe radar defences. As a consequence of this, the site suffered some allied air raids. The cemetery was created as part of this complex and as a result contains the graves of many British soldiers and sailors from the 19th and 20th centuries.
The cemetery contains a memorial to members of the British forces who died during the First World War, and who are buried in this and other bailiwick church yards and cemeteries. 111 German soldiers of the Second World War are also buried here.
After the First World War, a Cross of Sacrifice and a memorial plaque were erected here in honour of all members of His Majesty's Forces buried on the islands of Guernsey, Alderney and Sark. These now serve to also commemorate the war casualties from the Second World War who are buried on these islands.
The Cross of Sacrifice is inscribed with the phrase "Their glory shall not be blotted out". On the memorial plaque are the words: "The Cross of Sacrifice is erected to the honoured memory of those members of His Majesty's Forces who gave their lives during the wars of 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 and are buried in the islands of Guernsey, Alderney and Sark".
After the Second World War, the fort was decommissioned, and the cemetery is now managed by the States of Guernsey, who are responsible for 23 graves from the First World War and 113 from the Second World War, including 111 German graves.
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