During World War I 2,145 New Caledonian men served in Europe on French and Turkish fronts. Of these 1,005 were Kanaks – indigenous (Melanesian) islanders. 600 New Caledonians, including 382 Kanaks, died overseas in the service of the French colonial administration, many in the Aisne, France in July-August 1918.
Kanaks had no burning desire to serve La Republic and those who served were, in the main, ‘volunteered’ by their chiefs under pressure and/or the promise of land and the means to cultivate it from their colonial masters. A 1917 revolt lead by Chief Noel was a protest against this pressure (and other things). Two hundred Kanaks, including Chief Noel, and 11 French died in the revolt.
Of the 600 dead, a number came from the Ile des Pins. Interestingly, this memorial lists 18 names (Christian names only, as seems to be the custom in New Caledonia) while the St Maurice Bay statue/memorial lists 16. Perhaps the St Maurice Bay one only lists Catholics – I can’t otherwise account for the difference.
A further 8 servicemen from the Ile des Pins paid the ultimate sacrifice for France in World War II. The are also commemorated on this memorial.
The memorial is enclosed within a fairly basic palisade of wooden posts, only a few of which are carved.
Notwithstanding Kanak service in WWI and WWII they were not awarded French citizenship until 1946 and didn’t get the right to vote for another ten years after that.
This blog entry is one of a group (loop) of entries based on my trip to Ile des Pins, New Caledonia. I suggest you continue with my next entry – Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption – Built By Ungodly Convicts – or to start the loop at the beginning go to my introductory entry – No Hurries, No Worries.
The Rambling Wombat 