REMEMBRANCE DAY SPEECH
Seventy years ago 1941, a young Seychellois by the name of Arthur Barallon amongst many other Seychellois, departed our shores under the leadership of Capt Boulle & Capt Michel, whose sons and family are here with us today. Arthur Barallon, aged 21yrs like many others, very young in their prime, went to serve in Egypt & Libya under 8th Army Commander, of Field Marshal Montgomery, 1st Viscount of El-Alamein fighting against the Germans led by Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, known as the Dessert Fox. Seychellois soldiers provided crucial support in the supply of ammunition and logistics to Infantry on the war front. The world was at war.
At the same time, Derrich Wienbroer, a young German aged 19yrs old was in the same war. His posting in 1942 took him to Stalingrad where he experienced the horrors of that campaign during the winter offensive; incidentally a city affected by the war in Ukraine today. Stalingrad left scars from all those who fought, including the civilian population.
In fact, everyone was treated as hostile. No-one was spared. Those battles are engraved in military history amongst some of the most horrendous.
So, there we have, two soldiers, from two separate families, in two parts of the world, but fighting the same war. Both dragged in a world war where they probably had very little understanding of the great implications. After the war, both Arthur Barallon, and Derrich Weinbroer returned to their native land carrying with them some tough memories. Both got married. Derrich Weinbroer had two daughters. Arthur Barallon married to Laure Hoareau had 8 children.
One of Arthur Barallon’s sons, Gilbert, joined the British Army years later in 1971. And this time the story is about love and not war. For on one of his skiing trips in the Alps, he met Gudrun, the daughter of Derrich Weinbroer. They got married and have two sons and grandchildren. And today we welcome them at the Remembrance of their parents and those who never made it back. I was personally honored to have met Derrich Weibroer, wounded three times and went back to the front on recuperation. And as we remember, the fallen of the two World Wars and other campaigns around the world, not forgetting the War in Ukraine, we recognize that wars are fought by people on both sides who otherwise have normal family lives. Families who would probably be friends in normal circumstances.
Soldiers never start wars. But when politicians & diplomats fail, they are called upon. And, they come willingly. For they are the true protectors of the values of freedom, of unselfishness. And it’s those great values that encourage the soldier throughout his mission. He does not consider himself a hero. It’s not his wages that pushes him forward. He is guided by his beliefs and his sovereign faith.
This commitment to duty, commitment to country without limits is sometimes at odds to many. In today’s world, where the first question is, ‘what’s in it for me? It may be difficult to comprehend this undying faith. Remembrance day gives us this opportunity to renew our unerring task of remembering the greatness that was once in abundance but can still be found amongst veterans.
Yesterday, the Veterans’ Voices Exhibition had its official opening at the National Museum of History. This Museum captures an important part of our national history from 108 years ago of the First World War, through the Second World War and the numerous other conflicts and campaigns that Seychellois have been involved in. Many of whom are amongst us, somewhat more pickled, but still prepared to bear all lumbar discomfort, in order to maintain that youthful ram-rod posture.
I would like to make special mention of Jackie Bulmer, the Community Engagement Officer, & husband Major Renny Bulmer for having led this wonderful initiative of the Veterans’ Voices Book and the Museum. This Museum will ensure that those great lessons of the character of our countrymen, the qualities of what characterized a Seychellois serviceman, will now be embedded in our history and serve to influence our youth in shaping their future values.
I thank the office of the British High Commission for the continuous support to the ex-servicemen community, Ambassador Patrick & Kathy Lynch for your hands-on energy towards our various cooperation and support to those who were proud to have had the opportunity to serve the crown.
In the name of the President and Government of Seychelles, VP Ahmed Afif, I congratulate and thank our War Veterans, and I take this opportunity to thank our local armed forces and Law Enforcement personnel. Likewise, we are grateful to the families and relatives of those who are no longer with us.