About this Website

First published in August 2009, Ours: The Jersey Pals in the First World War is a landmark book telling the story of a small band of Jerseyman who left their island in March 1915 to fight in the First World War, serving initially with the Royal Irish Rifles and then the Hampshire Regiment.

The purpose of this website is to complement and enhance that book through additional information and pictures of the men, their story, and the places they knew. Updates will happen reguarily as more details emerge on this unique group.

Please visit and enjoy. On the menu bar you will find a Contibute page. If you have any information to share, or questions to raise, or comments to make, please take the time to get in touch. Everything and anything is welcome.

Latest News & Updates

Highlands College offers military history and Jersey courses starting September 2011

The courses, each of which are three weeks long and held on Thursday evenings between 7pm and 9pm, cover three separate but linked periods:

• Frontline Outpost: The Napoleonic Wars and Jersey

• Forgotten History: The First World War and Jersey

• Eye of the Storm: The Second World War and Jersey

For further details see here

About the Book

Today, the British Channel Island of Jersey is best known for international finance, as home to the delightful Jersey Cow, and, perhaps for an older generation, as the haunt of that well-known eighties detective, Jim Bergerac. Many may also be aware of its traumatic occupation by German forces during the dark years of the Second World War. Yet twenty years earlier, another devastating war had struck the Island, affecting the lives and liberties of its people. Central to this period is the virtually unknown story of the Jersey Company.

In the early years of the First World War, some 326 'Jersey Pals' volunteered to leave their island and fight for King and country in a conflict beyond the comprehension of most. Feted as heroes, the young men of 'Ours' carried the pride and hopes of their community to the trenches of the Western Front. But the war was soon to have a devastating affect - both on the Jersey Company and their Island. Before long, lost in greater tragedy, the dwindling band of volunteers found themselves battling not only the enemy, but also waging a bitter struggle for continued recognition and support from home.

'Ours' is the stirring but ultimately tragic story of one small unit caught in the maelstrom of the First World War. At the time of publishing, it is unique as the first and only book on the subject of Jersey during this period. After more than ninety years, its appearance should serve to resurrect the memory of these brave men and widen the appreciation of the part played by one small island in this terrible conflict.

About the Author

Ian Ronayne was born and raised in the island of Jersey. Now married with two children, he divides time between the demands of family, a working life, and an abiding interest for history.

Some years back, this interest moved on to the First World War and more specifically on Jersey's participation in that terrible conflict. From a long and detailed research of this almost forgotten period emerged Ian's first book, Ours: The Jersey Pals in the First World War, as well as a number of articles and studies including one published in the renowned UK magazine 'History Today'.

Today, Ian's research of Jersey in the First World War continues alongside further writing projects.