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Earlier this year, HRH The Duke of Kent visited the island of
Jersey to commemorate the liberation of the islanders from
the German occupation forces in 1945.
The hospitality of the Governor of Jersey was at his disposal
and it fell to the honorary police force – the ‘centeniers’ – to
assist in his protection at Government House in the Parish of
St. Saviour, covering continuous duties for 48 hours.
The Duke was representing the Queen, but the Grand
Master of the United Grand Lodge of England was being
guarded by three fellow Masons, all centeniers.
The role of the centeniers is a long and honourable one,
having been mentioned in 1502. The force provides support
to the States Police, yet the centenier has greater powers, in
that only they can charge an accused and bring them to court.
They, along with their vingteniers and constables, are the
front line to the community, and it is the centenier who acts
as parish magistrate, offering words of advice and issuing
cautions, fines and eventually prosecutions.
The centeniers have carried out such functions recently as
protection to the Queen, Prince Charles, the Princess Royal
and regular Government House community functions, which
are all part of their responsibilities.
In 2003, the greatest honour bestowed on the honorary
police was to receive the Queen’s Jubilee Award for the vital
role of voluntary service within the community.
For further details go to www.jerseyhonorarypolice.org and the
Jersey Masonic website at jerseymason.org.uk and learn of the many
years of service given by the local masonic community, its charitable
work and history, which includes the sacking of the island’s temple by
German forces during the Second World War.
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Photo shows (from left to right)
Bernie Connor, Glyn Davies and Jim Rigby,
centeniers who helped guard the Duke, all
members of De Carteret Lodge No. 3459
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Copyright 2002-2007
MQ Magazine
Web site created by Mark Griffin
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