09 May: Liberation Day in the Channel Islands

There was an impressive showing of Second World War military vehicles and classic cars making their way through St Peter Port this afternoon.

As I later found out, they’re not all just for display. John Bamford's 1934 Austin 7 is out on the Guernsey roads regularly.

Some of these vehicles also saw action during the conflict, and for many of their owners, today is the highlight of the year.

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Peter Bott, then aged four, along with his older brother, Roger, found themselves among the first islanders to be greeted by their British liberators, 72 years ago today.

When Task Force 135 came ashore at St Peter Port Harbour a barefoot Peter, now 76, got his first taste ofchocolate and oranges as troops and journalists handed him food.

He says he was "fortunate" to get so close because his father, a fisherman who'd reluctantly worked for the German authorities, had a pass to access an area of the harbour cut off to the rest of the occupied population.

This evening and tonight it will be staying dry with clear spells. It will be a breezy and mild night for most. Minimum temperature: 9C (48F)

Jersey

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Guernsey

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Bob Le Sueur, 96 - whose efforts to protect Russian slave workers in Jersey during the Occupation were recognised with an MBE in 2013 - says Liberation Day and the memorial service are important for islanders in remembering the past.

Mr Le Sueur said he is pleased with the way the memorial ceremony - which honours the 101 slave and forced workers sent to Jersey - has grown, saying the slave and forced workers "went through hell" and that it was "very moving" that a representative of the queen lays a wreath on her behalf.

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Quote Message: I think it is an impressive ceremony and the next generation is remembering a rather grim period in our history, which was not all horrid, it was mainly very dreary and boring, with moments of drama. from Bob Le Sueur

I think it is an impressive ceremony and the next generation is remembering a rather grim period in our history, which was not all horrid, it was mainly very dreary and boring, with moments of drama.

The Liberation Day procession - comprising the Bailiff, the Royal Court and the States Assembly - to Liberation Square was led by the Royal Seal, held by the Viscount, and the Royal Mace, held by the Deputy Viscount.

The Royal Mace was presented to the Bailiff of Jersey by King Charles II, as a sign of appreciation for the island's support for the Royalists in the English Civil War.

The Royal Seal dates back to the 13th Century, and was presented to the island by Edward I.

It's no surprise to see plenty of British military attire on display as Guernsey celebrates its Liberation from German occupation.

But dotted among the crowds were Milana, from Siberia, and Natalja, from Latvia, sporting Soviet Union military hats.

They wanted to show solidarity between the World War Two allies.

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Quote Message: It's a celebration day, and Russia gave a big help to achieve this victory actually. It's really deep in our hearts so we are happy to celebrate this day with British people too." from Milana Thiebaud

It's a celebration day, and Russia gave a big help to achieve this victory actually. It's really deep in our hearts so we are happy to celebrate this day with British people too."

This year the decedents of Louisa Gould, who sheltered a Russian slave worker, have attended the annual memorial service to commemorate the 16,000 workers sent to Jersey during the occupation.

Louisa Gould, whose story has been told most recently in the film Another Mother's Son, hid a Russian worker Fyodr Polycarpovitch Burriy, - she called him Bill.

She was eventually denounced by her neighbours and reported to the German authorities, and died in the Ravensbruck concentration camp.

Her great-grandchildren Lucy Lawrie and Oliver George said the memorial service brought up a lot of emotions, but were "amazed" by the celebrations for Liberation day.

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Quote Message: Because they made the film last year, it's brought everything to the surface. We also lost our mum last year, so it's opened a few wounds. It feels like the culmination of something, where we've been living her past and are now getting closer to the root of the family and where she came from." from Oliver George

Because they made the film last year, it's brought everything to the surface. We also lost our mum last year, so it's opened a few wounds. It feels like the culmination of something, where we've been living her past and are now getting closer to the root of the family and where she came from."

Quote Message: Liberation Square was amazing, we were astounded at how everyone came together, it's huge." from Lucy Lawrie

Liberation Square was amazing, we were astounded at how everyone came together, it's huge."

At the moment the government in Jersey had to publish any official notices such as new laws or enactments in the Jersey Gazette section of the Jersey Evening Post.

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That could change soon though. The council of ministers has proposed removing that requirement so they can publish on the government website and only publish in the JEP when it warrants it.

At the moment all other notices must be printed in the islands only daily print newspaper.

A spokesman said if the requirement is removed as well as publishing online they will also send to print and broadcast media as well as making copies available in public places for people without an internet connection.

One of the first islanders to greet their British liberators has said despite the jubilation of the day, by the end of the war islanders were hungry, and begging for food.

Peter Bott was four when the island was liberated, a day when he and his elder brother tasted chocolate for the first time. It's an image that was captured by a journalist and now celebrated on stamps and on mugs given to school children.

Peter BottCopyright: Peter Bott

Following D-Day in 1944, German supply routes to the island became cut-off and the local population and the 28,000-strong German garrison were close to starvation.

"I know we were hungry, we were begging for food, and every cat and dog in the island disappeared because they were eaten by the Germans, because they were starving as well."

Away from the Liberation Day celebrations and commemorations, Jersey's football manager Martin Cassidy has named his squad for Saturday's Muratti Vase final against rivals Guernsey.

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Star midfielder Jack Boyle is included on the list of 18 players, despite coming off in the first half of a friendly at the weekend.

Adam Trotter and Ben Gallichan have also both made the squad, but UK-based Max Thompson misses out.

Jersey have won the Vase for the past two seasons, but Guernsey have home advantage this year at Footes Lane.

Jersey squad: Euan van der Vliet, Danny Birrell, James Scott, James Queree, Stuart Andre, Rob McBey, Jack Cannon, Calvin Weir, Chris Andrews, Michael Weir, Jack Boyle, Cav Miley, Kieran Lester, Craig Russell, Karl Hinds, Adam Trotter, Joe Kilshaw, Ben Gallichan. 

They said they'd get people waving their Union flags and they certainly delivered.

In fact, I think a few arms might be numb among the hundreds of people who watched the D-Day Darlings perform in St Peter Port this afternoon.

Islanders can this week enjoy jazz, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and a musical walk in St Brelade as part of the programme for the Liberation International Musical Festival.  

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Among the World War Two vehicles on display today is John Bamford's 1934 Austin 7. It was one of 200 ordered by the British Army, with some deployed in France.

The exact wartime history of the vehicle is unknown, but John says it's good over bad ground and very agile, so much so he drives it nearly every day.

"It's just fun, it's the enjoyment of driving a well designed machine. I guess I'm just showing off aren't I!"

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Guernsey's relationship with the City of London is "very, very important", according to its Lord Mayor. 

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Andrew Parmley has been in the island speaking to finance industry representatives and politicians about the benefits of the relationship between the two financial centres.

He says the relationship has lasted hundreds of years and the focus on niche financial skills in Guernsey is something the City of London hopes to tap into.

Mr Parmley says there are very important skills in areas such as insurance and investment funds that would benefit the city through closer ties.

Clive Kemp, a 97-year-old D-Day veteran from St Helier, Jersey, left the island at 19 to join the British Expeditionary Force in 1940. 

He had to lie about his age, as the force was only accepting men aged 20 at the time.

Within 72 days he was deployed in France, and fought across Europe.

He said he finds the music and speeches "emotional" on Liberation Day.

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Quote Message: It's a big day for the island and it's important. It was good to come back to Jersey after the war, but when we did there was nothing here for us." from Clive Kemp

It's a big day for the island and it's important. It was good to come back to Jersey after the war, but when we did there was nothing here for us."

At the last census in 2011 there were 6,400 still living who had been continuously resident since the occupation. That's according to the States of Jersey Stats Unit. 

Of those 1,100 people were alive that were born here during the Nazi occupation of the island.

The main service is over but the Liberation Day celebrations will continue for the rest of the day with a 1940s themed party on the Weighbridge.

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Hundreds of people gathered on Weighbridge Place in St Helier to listen to live music, eat food and dance to music from the 40s.

There were dance demonstrations from the Jersey Hoppers, music from the Jersey Big Band and 40s songs by a trio from the Optimistic Voices choir.

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Amongst all the amazing period costumes today, Sophie Parker from St Clement decided to wear her special Liberation Day dress. 

I'm not sure if there is a best dressed award for the day, but if there is I think this could be a very strong contender.

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