The Island’s MP and Hovertravel are urging Island youngsters to enter the Sidney Goldberg Memorial Competition to get an understanding of the D-Day landings and commemorate those who took part.
Sidney Goldberg, a German Jew was an inspirational figure, who as a 10 year old boy fled Nazi Germany, joining the RAF when he turned 18. He was attached to 381 Wireless Unit who intercepted and interpreted Luftwaffe aircraft radio transmissions in North Africa, Italy and then during the Allied push through France, Belgium and Holland, providing crucial intelligence. Sidney also took part in the D-Day landings on Juno Beach. Many of his family died at Auschwitz. In 2003 he was decorated by the French Government, becoming Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur. He died in July 2011. The competition to commemorate him is organised by his daughter Rachelle and was launched in the House of Commons.
The competition is open to all students in school years 3-13 with prizes for four age groups, (yrs 3 and 4, yrs 5 to 8, yrs 9 to 11 & yrs 12 and13) and can be either a written piece of work or a work of art inspired by the Normandy Landings and those who took part. Full details are available on the competition website http://www.sgcompetition.com/sgcompetition/the-competition/ and entries will be accepted until Monday March 31st.
As well as the national competition, the Island’s MP Andrew Turner and Hovertravel’s Managing Director Neil Chapman have got together to offer a local prize to each of the four age-groups of a family day-ticket to Southsea with entrance to the D-Day Museum. Entrants must live on the Island and will follow the same rules as the national competition. Island young people who wish to enter both competitions can send their entries to the Island’s MP and they will be passed on to be judged in the national competition. In order to ensure that local judging can take place and entries get to the national competition in good time they must reach the MP’s office at the Riverside Centre in Newport by 17th March.
Andrew Turner said:
“Many schools are teaching about the D-Day landings, which took place in Normandy – and in this week, when we have been remembering the fallen, it seems fitting to encourage youngsters to think about the sacrifices that were made for our freedom. The PLUTO (Pipe Line Under The Ocean) project providing fuel to support the Allied invasion ran from Shanklin Chine, so the Island was a vital link to the D-Day landings, and of course there will be a personal connection for some Island families.
“I would like to thank Neil of Hovertravel for his enthusiasm and support for the idea. We both wish Island youngsters good luck in our local competition as well of course in the national one.”
