Remembering Liberation Day for the people of the Channel Islands
While the 80th anniversary of VE day is celebrated today, for the people of the Channel Islands, it is tomorrow that is celebrated as their Liberation Day. The Channel Islands were the only British territories to be occupied during World War Two.
The Deans of Guernsey and Jersey reflect on the significance of the anniversary:
Tim Barker, Dean of Guernsey, writes:
Liberation Day is the most significant day in Guernsey’s calendar.
As dawn broke on Wednesday 9 May 1945, peace returned to Guernsey after five long years of German occupation of the Channel Islands. Two British destroyers arrived of the coast of Guernsey. A German armed trawler put out from St Peter Port to HMS Bulldog, carrying the senior German officers who signed their surrender of Guernsey.
Soon afterwards, a small advance party of British troops came ashore on two craft, one of them commanded by a Guernseyman who was serving in the Royal Navy. Alongside the official welcome, the British troops were hailed with exultation by a multitude of cheering islanders, some weeping for joy. Later in the day, more troops arrived and marched off the White Rock led by the band of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry which, before the war, had once formed Guernsey’s garrison. Many islanders came in from the country parishes in horse-drawn carts, on bicycles and on foot, as most vehicles had been confiscated.
The Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, sent this telegram to the Bailiff: ‘You should have heard the House of Commons cheer at the news of your Liberation.’ The Bailiff replied: ‘We are all deeply touched by, and grateful for, your telegram conveying the enthusiasm of the House of Commons at our deliverance.’
Then followed the difficult months and years of rebuilding Guernsey, as people returned from evacuation to the UK and from internment camps in Germany.
This year is the 80th anniversary of Guernsey’s liberation. We look forward to welcoming HRH The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence. Alongside festivities across the island, one of the focal events of the day is a service in the Town Church. The Bishop of Salisbury will be the preacher this year.
Sark’s liberation followed on the next day. Alderney’s liberation is marked annually by ‘Homecoming Day’ on 15 December.
Mike Keirle, Dean of Jersey, writes:
Every year thousands of Islanders gather on the 9 May in Liberation Square in St Helier in Jersey to commemorate and celebrate Liberation Day, when British troops landed at the harbour after the German surrender, to liberate the Island after five long years of occupation, during which time the Island had no contact with the outside world. During that period, some were deported never to return, others were interned in camps in Germany, others evacuated to England with their children to a mixed reception and many others simple endured the ignominy of occupation with many people on the verge of starvation until the Red Cross delivered food parcels in 1944. Slave workers of many different nationalities were shipped to Jersey to build concrete defences, with many of them dying in the process.
This year is the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day and, as well as a service of thanksgiving near to the place where the troops landed led by the Dean of Jersey, there will be a re-enactment of the landing when British troops arrived, gave out sweets to children and then hoisted the Union Jack at the Harbour Office and at Fort Regent, a high bluff overlooking the town. In the afternoon, in a more sombre tone, wreaths will be laid at the Slave worker memorial, with representatives from many nations present.
This year, we will also be commemorating the arrival of the Red Cross ship, the SS Vega, which delivered 119,00 food parcels in the winter of 1944 to a population on the brink of starvation. A special event will celebrate the legacy of this and the fact that Jersey has been transformed from a recipient of aid into a force for global humanitarian support, through its highly effective overseas aid programme.
Images courtesy of Jersey Evening Post and Channel Islands Occupation Society Jersey and supplied by Jersey Heritage.