First World War artillery shell becomes centrepiece of new shooting trophy honouring Royal Guernsey Light Infantry
- A competition trophy crafted from a genuine First World War QF 18-pounder artillery shell dated 1917 will honour the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry
- The trophy will be the centrepiece of an annual memorial shoot using WW1-era service rifles, with proceeds supporting RGLI Trust heritage projects including Project 16 Rue Verte in France
- Designers Aaron Finigan and Alex Richards discovered their great-grandfathers both served in the RGLI and fought together at the Battle of Le Rue Verte in December 1917
- The shell will be permanently engraved by the RGLI Trust and each year's winner will have their name added, creating a lasting roll of honour
- The RGLI Trust will display the trophy alongside regimental silver at their dinner later this year
A competition trophy crafted from a genuine First World War artillery shell will honour the memory of the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry and their service in France during 1917 and 1918.
Aaron Finigan and Alex Richards of the Guernsey Service Rifle & Heritage Group unveiled the trophy at the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Museum at Castle Cornet, where it has already attracted significant interest.
The trophy will serve as the centrepiece for an annual memorial shoot centred around First World War-era service rifles, with proceeds supporting the work of the RGLI Trust in preserving Guernsey's military heritage, including Project 16 Rue Verte in Masnières, France.
At the heart of the trophy sits an original QF 18-pounder artillery cartridge case dated 1917, produced during the height of the war on the Western Front. The markings on its base confirm wartime manufacture, bearing the maker's mark 'U.M.P' and production inspection mark 'FN' within a circle, alongside a separate SA inspection and acceptance mark.
The QF 18-pounder field gun was the backbone of British artillery during the First World War, extensively used by British and Commonwealth forces throughout major battles including Cambrai, Arras, Passchendaele, Ypres and the Somme. Whilst the exact battlefield history of this specific cartridge case cannot be proven, it is an authentic wartime example from the period when the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry served in France during some of the heaviest fighting of the Great War.
The Royal Guernsey Light Infantry was formed in 1916 under the authority of the Crown, making the shell directly connected to the regiment's wartime period and the generation of Guernsey men who fought under its colours.
'What started as a simple idea between members and friends has turned into something deeply personal that continues to connect and remember Guernsey's history and culture', said Aaron Finigan.
The trophy, display box and transit box were designed by Aaron and Alex, with polished brass fittings specifically based on their personal research around the Battle of Le Rue Verte in November 1917.
Alex Richards said: 'The response and input from islanders has truly been remarkable. Every Guernsey family was affected by the First World War in some way. Nearly every family lost somebody, knew somebody, or carried the scars left behind by those terrible years. That sacrifice must never be forgotten. This trophy is not just about shooting. It is about remembrance, friendship, island history and honouring the men who gave so much for Guernsey and future generations.'
The shell will be permanently engraved under the direction and guidance of the RGLI Trust with wording to honour the regiment and the sacrifice of Guernsey's men. Each year, the winner's name will also be engraved onto the trophy, creating a lasting roll of honour linked to the memory of the RGLI.
The competition will be promoted to encourage wider participation and preserve the spirit of historic service rifle shooting, whilst preserving the rarity and value of surviving original rifles and their later descendants such as the No.4 Lee-Enfield.
Aaron Finigan and Alex Richards, who work together at Guernsey Electricity, became close friends through shared interests in shooting, military history and preserving island heritage. Their collaboration on the Guernsey Service Rifle & Heritage Group eventually led them to uncover remarkable personal connections to the regiment.
Aaron had previously researched his great-grandfather, Private Josiah Norman Lowe (RGLI No.941). After Josiah's story appeared on Facebook, Alex researched his own relative, Acting Sergeant George Austin Richards (RGLI No. 1603), formerly of the Royal Irish Regiment.
Both men came from St Sampson's and likely attended school in the same local area. George had already seen service in France with the Royal Irish Regiment before transferring to the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry. Josiah later arrived in France as part of reinforcement drafts sent to support the regiment.
Working with records from the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Trust and Archive, Aaron and Alex established that both men were present during heavy fighting around Le Rue Verte, Masnières on 1 December 1917. During that battle, the fighting was desperate, with buildings destroyed, positions overrun and close-quarter hand-to-hand combat as men held the line under seven relentless German counterattacks.
It was during this battle that Josiah received terrible wounds that would later cost him his arm. At the same time, George was there serving as an acting sergeant, leading men under the same horrific battlefield conditions.
Sarah Ozanne, whose great-grandfather Amoz Ozanne also served during the same wartime generation, hand-painted the RGLI and Guernsey flags featured on the trophy transit box. Drew Baudains, a local Guernsey machinist, helped machine the brass fuse and components to original size using schematics.
The RGLI Trust has invited a trustee to open the shoot and present the trophy each year as the event grows. The trust has also offered to display the new trophy alongside the regimental silver and original shooting trophies during their regimental dinner later this year.
Chris Oliver and Colin Dodd of the RGLI Trust have provided research, guidance and encouragement throughout the project.
Q&A
Q: What is the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Competition Trophy made from?
A: The trophy is centred around an original QF 18-pounder artillery cartridge case dated 1917 from the First World War. The shell is an authentic wartime example from the period when the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry served in France.
Q: What personal connection do the trophy designers have to the RGLI?
A: Aaron Finigan's great-grandfather was Private Josiah Norman Lowe (RGLI No.941) and Alex Richards' relative was Acting Sergeant George Austin Richards (RGLI No. 1603). Both men served together at the Battle of Le Rue Verte in December 1917, where Josiah received wounds that cost him his arm.
Q: What will happen to funds raised by the memorial shoot?
A: Proceeds from the annual Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Memorial Shoot will support the work of the RGLI Trust in preserving Guernsey's military heritage, including Project 16 Rue Verte in Masnières, France.
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