A Plaque for Sir Donald Banks

On 8 May 2023, a blue plaque was unveiled on Guernsey’s High Street in honour of Sir Donald Banks - founder of the Guernsey Society and one of the island’s most dedicated public servants.

The plaque now sits on the building where Sir Donald once lived - currently occupied by Schuh and Accessorize - and marks a significant moment not just for the Society, but for those who continue to value his legacy.

The unveiling was led by the Bailiff of Guernsey, Richard McMahon, who also serves as President of the Society. He was joined by Stephen Foote, Vice-Chairman, and a small number of members and guests. Though modest in scale, the occasion carried quiet weight - not least because the date chosen was 8 May, which is both Liberation Day in Guernsey and VE Day in the UK.

The unveiling of the plaque

Sir Donald Banks was born in 1891. His public career spanned military service in both World Wars and senior posts in government - including the Post Office, the Air Ministry and the Ministry of Fuel and Power. He later chaired several post-war committees and industry bodies. He was made a KCB, KBE, MC and TD - but despite his national achievements, he remained closely tied to the island.

It was in 1943, during the Occupation, that he founded the Guernsey Society in London. Its aim was simple - to maintain links between islanders, especially evacuees, and to ensure that the culture, identity and concerns of Guernsey were kept alive in exile. Through newsletters, meetings and advocacy, the Society provided a rare thread of continuity at a time of deep separation.

The plaque itself has been a long time in the making. First suggested over ten years ago, it became a quiet but persistent project within the Society - helped in recent years by support from the Blue Plaques Panel at Guernsey Museums. Various delays, discussions and practicalities followed - but the unveiling in the Society’s 80th anniversary year proved worth the wait.

That the building now houses modern shops did little to dampen the sense of occasion. A short ceremony was held beneath the plaque, followed by warm conversation among members. The Guernsey flag was raised - its presence noted by many as a subtle echo of the values Sir Donald stood for.

This plaque does not mark the end of a story, but adds a visible chapter. It reminds islanders and visitors alike that behind the modern façades of town are lives of service, acts of community and stories worth telling. Sir Donald Banks was one of those stories - a man who moved in national circles but never lost sight of his island.

The Guernsey Society continues the work he began. This plaque now stands as a modest tribute to a founder who understood, better than most, the importance of keeping people connected - in peace as in war.