Jersey Royals

Ian Ronayne describes how the Channel Island was torn in the First World War between its role as potato producer and its patriotic duty to send men to fight.

Carts bearing potatoes to the 'Weighbridge', St Helier harbour, Jersey (Societe Jersiaise)

Today, for better or worse, the global finance industry dominates the Channel Island of Jersey. Ninety years ago, as the Great War ended, agriculture was equally dominant, but had just been through one of the most challenging periods in its history. The war had presented it with both opportunity and threat; and trying to manage both had stretched Jersey almost to breaking point.

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