Liberation (197)
CIMM_0072
Jersey Thursday 10th May 1945. Crowds of islanders lingered around the Weighbridge still excited from recent historic events and exchange pleasantries with the British troops sitting on the Pomme d’Or Hotel’s balcony.
CIMM_0071
Jersey Friday 11th May 1945. The Royal Court’s first sitting since the Liberation of Jersey assembled at 11 a.m. on Friday morning, 12 May 1945. In attendance were Force 135 officers including L to R; Captain C. Hargreaves, Major Anderson, making their way through the streets of St Helier to the Court.
CIMM_0070
Jersey Friday 11th May 1945. The Royal Court’s first sitting since the Liberation of Jersey assembled at 11 a.m. on Friday morning, 12 May 1945. In attendance were Force 135 officers including L to R; Captain L. Ogden, and Lt-Col W. Arnold, making their way through the streets of St Helier to the Court.
CIMM_0069
Jersey Thursday 10th May 1945. After the speeches the St James Boys Brigade Band, headed by Dae Donavan their drum-major, struck up a rousing march and marched out of the Royal Square followed by Lt-Col Robinson and the troops that had formed the Guard of Honour.
CIMM_0068
Jersey Thursday 10th May 1945. The Guard of Honour and the Islanders wait patiently in the Royal Square for the States Members to arrive for the Hoisting the Flag Ceremony. Lt-Col. Robinson, deep in thought, paces the pavement outside the States Buildings.
CIMM_0067
Jersey Thursday 10th May 1945. The section of crowd at the Pierson Hotel end of the Royal Square wait eagerly for the ceremony to begin.
CIMM_0066
Jersey Thursday 10th May 1945. The Guard of Honour is marched off the Weighbridge led by Lt-Col Robinson and followed closely by Captain Le Brocq.
CIMM_0065
Jersey Thursday 10th May 1945. The Guard of Honour is handed over to Lt-Colonel W. P. A. Robinson, MC, RA, the Island Commander, Jersey and Commanding Officer 620 Regiment, Royal Artillery. Captain Hugh Le Brocq is on the right.
CIMM_0064
The Guard of honour for Hoisting the Flag Ceremony on the morning of Thursday 10th May 1945 are inspected by the CSM on the Weighbridge in front of the Pomme d’Or Hotel, which will become Force 135 Tactical Headquarters.
CIMM_0063
Jersey Thursday 10th May 1945. Jerseyman Corporal Alex Mangan was kept busy signing autographs for islanders in Conway Street, St Helier.
CIMM_0062
Jersey Thursday 10th May 1945. Three Jersey lads, Private Raymond Ahier, Sergeant Winter de Gruchy, and Corporal Alex Mangan, serving with the 11th (RMIJ) Battalion, the Hampshire Regiment, in Broad Street, Jersey.
CIMM_0061
Jersey Liberation Wednesday 9th May 1945. After unfurling the Union Jack the two RN officers chat with a Russian worker (centre), Deputy Harbourmaster Bill Furzer (left) and Harbourmaster Captain Harry Richmond (right).
CIMM_0060
Jersey Liberation Wednesday 9th May 1945. Islanders crowded onto the LCI(L) 130 and asked the crew for autographs.
CIMM_0059
Jersey Liberation Wednesday 9th May 1945. Royal Navy officers from the LCI(L) 130 and minesweepers exchange details at the top of the New North Quay, St Helier Harbour, whilst a Jersey girl listens eagerly to their conversation.
CIMM_0058
Jersey Liberation Wednesday 9th May 1945. Once moored alongside the New North Quay crew members of one of the HM Motor minesweepers relax after clearing the approaches to St Helier Harbour. This minesweeper is most probably the FY PT 542 commanded by Lieutenant Idris Edwards, RNVR.
CIMM_0057
Jersey Liberation Wednesday 9th May 1945. The HM Motor Minesweeper FY PT 250, commanded by Lt. Leslie Jackson, RNVR, of the 142nd Minesweeping Flotilla manoeuvring in St Helier Harbour.
CIMM_0056
Jersey Liberation Wednesday 9th May 1945. Local girls were eager to speak to the crew of the recently arrived Royal Navy vessels, as Sub-Lt Jimmy Cooper from the LCI(L) 130 soon found out.
CIMM_0055
Jersey Liberation Wednesday 9th May 1945. One of two sentries that were posted to guard the mooring ropes, maintain discipline and ensure security of the vessel to prevent over enthusiastic islanders boarding the LCI(L) 130 and removing items as souvenirs.
CIMM_0054
Jersey Liberation Wednesday 9th May 1945. Officers of LCI(L) 130 with a Royal Engineer Major (third left) from the 'Omelette’ Advance Party. L to R; First Lieutenant (name unknown), RNVR; Sub.Lt. Jimmy Cooper, RNVR; and Commanding Officer, Lt Charles Sanders, RNVR.
CIMM_0053
The LCI(L) 130 moored alongside the New North Quay, St. Helier Harbour, Jersey. Almost immediately the main 'Omelette’ advance party of some 200 men began to land at 5pm on Wednesday 9th May.
CIMM_0052
The RAAF Sunderland aircraft, which provided air cover for HMS Cosby and LCI(L) 130, flew at low level over the Albert Pier, Jersey to show the flag
CIMM_0051
Three British soldiers guard the main gate at Fort Regent to prevent Jersey islanders from entering. John Langlois is the small boy on someone’s shoulders waving the Red Ensign, son of Fred and Mary Langlois. Third from left is 16-year-old Dennis Perrier.
CIMM_0050
A Royal Navy rating from HMS Beagle’s launch is also given a hero’s welcome by a group of Jersey islanders outside the Harbour Office at the Weighbridge.
CIMM_0049
The launch from HMS Beagle was swamped with autograph hunters at the end of the Albert Pier, Jersey.
CIMM_0048
The launch from HMS Beagle was swamped with autograph hunters at the end of the Albert Pier, Jersey.
CIMM_0047
The launch from HMS Beagle was swamped with autograph hunters at the end of the Albert Pier, Jersey. The sailor's supply of cigarettes rapidly diminished.
CIMM_0046
The launch from HMS Beagle was swamped with autograph hunters at the end of the Albert Pier, Jersey. The sailor's supply of cigarettes rapidly diminished.
CIMM_0045
A launch from HMS Beagle with two Royal Navy officers and four ratings on board prepares to tie up at the end of the Albert Pier, Jersey.
CIMM_0044
Everyone on the Albert Pier in Jersey wanted their photograph taken with the first Liberators ashore. L to R: Miss Betty Richomme, Miss Haines, St John Ambulance Nurses back row unknown, Mary Martret, Margaret Sewell, Surgeon-Lieutenant Ronald McDonald, Miss Frazer, Sub-Lieutenant David Milln, unknown, Maurice Gautier and Major V. Cooke.
CIMM_0043
As the craft carrying the German Island Commander and the Bailiff of Jersey reached the head of Elizabeth Castle breakwater it was passed by the launch from HMS Beagle inward bound. As the launch passed through the pierheads the crowd could see that the men on board were wearing Royal Navy uniforms, and they let out loud cheers of welcome.
CIMM_0042
View looking across St. Aubin’s bay, Jersey from St. Helier Harbour. HMS Beagle can be seen at anchor behind Elizabeth Castle breakwater. One of the two square bunkers housing the firing points for the electrically detonated mines laid in the approaches to the harbour can be seen at the root of the castle breakwater.
CIMM_0041
Jersey Bailiff’s pinnace on its way to HMS Beagle anchored in St. Aubin’s Bay, off St. Helier. The Bailiff and the Solicitor General waved their hats repeatedly in acknowledgement as the pinnace headed out of the Harbour, whilst Generalmajor Wulf and his two staff officers stood silently in the stern of the vessel.
CIMM_0040
One of the small boats that had made the trip to HMS Beagle anchored in St Aubin’s Bay, Jersey. On returning to St Helier Harbour two on board are holding up copies of the previous day’s newspapers announcing VE-Day, thrown to them by sailors on board the destroyer.
CIMM_0039
Jersey ex-political prisoners taken shortly after their release from the Newgate Street Prison. Left to Right: Bunny O’Neil, Mr. Rondel, Charles Gruchy, Martin Le Cornu, Hugh Le Cloche, Basil Thornton, the Dutchman Siebe Kosta, and John Bisson.
CIMM_0038
The RM Stores in King Street, St. Helier, Jersey featured the big three. Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt, with 'Winnie’, standing on a map of Jersey, holding up Hitler by the seat of his breeches.
CIMM_0037
Tuesday 8th May 1945, the Jersey Bailiff, Alexander Coutanche, had a microphone erected on the balcony of the Royal Court witness room, facing the Royal Square. After the Prime Minister’s speech he spoke from the balcony to the crowd.
MT_0009
Big crowds gather on Liberation Day on May 9th 1946 to watch the procession in St Peter Port.
MT_0008
Big crowds gather on Liberation Day on May 9th 1946 to watch the procession in St Peter Port.
MT_0007
Big crowds gather on Liberation Day on May 9th 1946 to watch the procession in St Peter Port.
MT_0002
Marching past the former White Heart Hotel sited opposite the Weighbridge, a young girl presents a pose of flowers to one of Guernsey’s Liberators on the occasion of the islands freedom on 9 May 1945.
SP_0029
HMS Bulldog (Destroyer) H 91 off St Peter Port, Guernsey, on Wednesday morning, 9th May, 1945.
SP_0028
Off St Aubin’s Bay, Jersey on Wednesday afternoon, 9th May, 1945. HMS Cosby (Frigate) K 559, LCI(L) 130 carrying the Force 135 'Omelette advance party’, and HMS Beagle (Destroyer) H 30.
TPL_00386
A crowd of joyous Guernsey islanders in front of the Growers Co-Operative Society building in St Peter Port on May 9th 1945.
TPL_00354
Members of the British Legion, banners flying and led by Mr. T. Macathie, entering Elizabeth College grounds, St Peter Port, Guernsey, for the Reading of the Proclamation and the King’s Message by Channel Island Commander, Brigadier Snow, on Saturday afternoon, 12th May, 1945.
TPL_00353
Group I, First Lift, of the Channel Islands Liberation fleet, codenamed 'agent’, commanded by Rear-Admiral C. G. Stuart, DSO, DSC, (Retd) serving in the rank of Captain, RN, Naval force Commander, Force 135, bound for Guernsey sailed from Plymouth at 15.45 hours on 11th may, 1945, 'W’ Day plus 7, and arrived off St Peter Port at 07.15 hours on Saturday, 12th May.
TPL_00240
Vizeadmiral Hüffmeier’s representative Kapitänleutnant Zimmermann returning to his vessel the German minesweeper M4613 after discussing Armistice terms on board HMS Bulldog. He was told to return to his commander and tell him to prepare for Unconditional Surrender. On leaving he arrogantly warned Brigadier Snow to move away from the coast otherwise this would be construed as an invitation to open fire. Astounded by Zimmermann’s effrontery Brigadier Snow is reported to have replied “Tell Hüffmeier that if he opens fire on us we will hang him tomorrow!”
TPL_00239
The Ward Room of HMS Bulldog during the first conference with Kapitänleutnant Armin Zimmerman Commander of the 46th Minesweeper Flotilla and Officer on the German Naval Commander’s Staff on Tuesday 8th May 1945. L to R: Rear-Admiral C. G. Stuart, Royal Navy representative; Brigadier A. E. Snow, Chief British Emissary; Captain H. Herzmark (standing) Intelligence Corps Interpreter; Lt-Col E. G. Stoneman (behind Herzmark), Commander 618 Regiment Royal Artillery; Wing Commander 'Archie’ Stewart, RAF Representative; Army Education Corps Senior NCO Clerk (writing); Major John E. Margesson, General Staff Officer II; and Colonel H. R. Power, CCAO.
TPL_00237
May 9th 1946. The great day finished with a display on a big scale of Brock’s fireworks. The gigantic firework display began at 10.15 p.m. and were fired from the White Rock Pier, St Peter Port.
TPL_00236
May 9th 1946. At the end of the procession were the members of St John Ambulance Brigade under Ambulance Officer J. Shore.