Remembrance Sunday ‘We owe a debt of gratitude to those who served in the Great War’ – HC Lynch |15 November 2021
President Ramkalawan was the first dignitary to lay his wreath at the Cenotaph
A religious and official ceremonies were held yesterday at the St Paul’s Cathedral and at the Cenotaph at the Mont Fleuri cemetery to remember all Seychellois soldiers and other personnel who lost their lives during the two world wars and other military conflicts.
Deacon Louis Agathine of the Roman Catholic Diocese led the religious service in the cemetery whereas Father Brian Volcère of the Anglilcan Church led the service at St Paul’s Cathedral.
In the main event held at the Mont Fleuri cemetery, after the Seychelles and British National Anthems were played, the National Band accompanied by all those present chanted the hymn ‘Marchons au combat à la gloire’.
The act of Remembrance was read: “Let us remember before God, all those who have died as a result of war, oppression and tyranny. We have come together to remember in gratitude all those who fought and died in the two world wars, especially those members of the Seychelles and Commonwealth forces who are commemorated here. We also remember our colleagues who have passed away during the year.”
A member of the Seychelles Defence Forces read the Kohima Epithaph and this was followed by the intervention of Minister for Internal Affairs and also ex-serviceman Errol Fonseka.
He noted that “our community gathers here today to pay due respect and gratitude to those who gave their youth for others, in order to have a future of peace and stability. Let us be mindful that in this volatile and uncertain world, no-one can determine as to when we may need, to call and rely ‘on the likes’ of those brave men and women. Uncertainty is the default mode we live in today”.
Minister Fonseka referred to the latest event where there was a change in the US policy in Afghanistan and how the world is impacted by it.
“As small and distant as we may be in terms of geography, we are always impacted by decisions made thousands of miles from our shores. The deep-rooted narcotics trade of the Middle East, which very likely has been enhanced by the instability in Afghanistan, can result in the nightmare of this Seychellois mother here in Mont Fleuri. We are all interconnected.”
Minister Fonseka also shared that as a very isolated small island state, “we are proud of our past participation in the two World Wars, being global events that have shaped the geopolitics of the last century. Our connectivity to the rest of the world is vital for our very existence”.
On behalf of the government, the minister thanked the war veterans and the local armed forces and law enforcement and encouraged the Seychellois families to bring forward pictures and memorabilia of past servicemen for the Gallery of Heroes at the Tobruck Club.
The British high commissioner, Patrick Lynch, recalled that “at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month an Armistice was declared and the Great War was over. The poppy we wear is a deliberate reminder of the reality of conflict and it is not a symbol of triumph or victory. It is symbol of remembrance. It remembers all”.
HC Lynch noted that twenty million people died in the Great War and in Seychelles, the graves and the Cenotaph commemorate the 365 Seychellois casualties of the two World Wars of whom 289 were identified.
“Most were members of the Carrier Corps that served in the East Africa Campaign in the First World War. Around 700 left these islands in late 1916 and early 1917 with hopes that their service would create a new beginning. Many lost their lives within the first six months. It is rightfully said that we owe a debt of gratitude to those who have served. The challenge is how we repay that debt”, remarked HC Lynch.
He further stated that when the Seychellois – almost 600 of them – returned after the war, they came back to poverty and unemployment.
“In 1918 we owed a debt of gratitude but we failed to repay that debt! But there is much we can do to repay the debt in 2021. We can show respect and care and offer active support to the veterans from more recent conflicts who live among us. And for those who served but are no longer with us, we can keep building lands that are fit for the children, grandchildren and the great grandchildren of those heroes. And what does a land fit for heroes look like… It is a democracy.”
HC Lynch spoke about free education, free health services and a government free from partisan politics.
“600 weary Seychellois did make it home. Like other soldiers across the Commonwealth, they did not return to live in a land fit for heroes. But that does not mean that their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren cannot. This is a time of great change for Seychelles. The challenges have been great, in the face of a global pandemic and an unprecedented economic contraction, but where democracy is sustained democracy will prevail,” concluded HC Lynch.
This ceremony was attended by the President of the Republic, Wavel Ramkalawan, Vice-President Ahmed Afif, the Designated Minister Jean-François Ferrari, the Speaker of the National Assembly Roger Mancienne, ministers Devika Vidot and Marie-Celine Zialor, members of the diplomatic corps, the veterans and their families.
At the end of the ceremony wreaths of poppies were laid at the cenotaph to honour the memories of all those who lost their lives as well as remember those who are still alive.
Remembrance Sunday is marked in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries every second Sunday of November.
The accompanying photos show some highlights of the ceremonies.
Vidya Gappy
