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.
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.
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.
Jersey Thursday 10th May 1945. Jerseyman Corporal Alex Mangan was kept busy signing autographs for islanders in Conway Street, St Helier.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
The launch from HMS Beagle was swamped with autograph hunters at the end of the Albert Pier, Jersey.
The launch from HMS Beagle was swamped with autograph hunters at the end of the Albert Pier, Jersey.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Flak Batterie Kapellendorf located off Les Grandes Capelles in St Sampson. This battery of four 8.8cm Flak 18 guns which were used in an anti-aircraft role. This sequence of photographs were taken in December 1941.
The gun crew of Flak Batterie Kapellendorf located off Les Grandes Capelles in St Sampson. This battery of four 8.8cm Flak 18 guns which were used in an anti-aircraft role. This sequence of photographs were taken in December 1941.
Flak Batterie Kapellendorf located off Les Grandes Capelles in St Sampson. This battery of four 8.8cm Flak 18 guns which were used in an anti-aircraft role. This sequence of photographs were taken in December 1941. Note the trailer for moving the gun in the background.
Big crowds gather on Liberation Day on May 9th 1946 to watch the procession in St Peter Port.
Big crowds gather on Liberation Day on May 9th 1946 to watch the procession in St Peter Port.
Big crowds gather on Liberation Day on May 9th 1946 to watch the procession in St Peter Port.
Victor Gontier a former internee at Laufen, seen here circa 1948 with a team from Gilroy’s which were engaged in backfilling trenches and salvaging scrap at Batterie Dollmann, Pleinmont.
Two years after Liberation on 23rd May 1947 Guernsey had a special visit from Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery (Monty). During his visit he met with many dignitaries including those from Elizabeth College, St John Ambulance, Sea Scouts and many others. His tour was welcomed by all with the streets of Guernsey lined with locals wanting to catch a glimpse of Monty. His famous vehicle known as Old Faithful carried him around the island and included a stop at the grounds of Beau Sejour.
A local police sergeant and civilian photographed with German soldiers outside the old Police Station located opposite St Pauls Church. The church was subsequently demolished and is now the site of the Sunken Garden.
Looking across the roof of the former Moulin Huet Watermill, sited alongside the road leading down to Moulin Huet Bay with Jerbourg headland and the beach of Petit Port at low water in the distance.
A view from the foot of Bertholet Street looking up the steeply graded hill that emerges onto New Street.
A view across the roof tops of St Peter Port from Victoria Tower, with the spire of St James seen left, the square towers of Elizabeth College on the right and Castle Cornet in the far distance.
Taken from the roof of a house near the junction of Les Gravees and Queens Road looking towards the spire of Notre Dame Roman Catholic Chapel and convent.
Enjoying a stroll around Guernsey’s southern cliffs a group of Germans stop for a rest near Moulin Huet by Dog and Lion Rocks with the small harbour at Saints Bay seen in the background.
A German soldier relaxes on a rock outcrop sited on the coastal footpath leading to Pointe De La Moye with Icart headland in the background.
Taken at Route de Cobo near Bouverie Lane looking towards Cobo Coast Road note, the white lines painted on the sea wall to aid drivers during the night in blackout conditions.
A local police sergeant photographed by a German soldier in Market Street looking towards the steps that led to the Commercial Arcade.
Funeral service for Royal Navy victims of HMS Charybdis and HMS Limbourne who were buried with full military honours at Le Foulon Cemetery.
The "photo-census" in progress in the summer of 1941. Charles Toms is shown photographing a subject, with reference number displayed on an easel.
As the military buildup increased, so did the number of road signs directing German forces to them. Many roads were thoroughly signposted like this example at the bottom of St Julian's Avenue, Guernsey. Note the Guernsey Press Censor in his car.
The Germans commandeered all but a very few private cars on the island. These were taken to the Albert Pier to await shipment to France.
The Swedish ship SS Vega, chartered by the International Red Cross to take Red Cross Supplies to the Channel Islands. She is seen here off St Aubin’s Bay after leaving St Helier Harbour on Friday, 11th May, 1945.
The Swedish ship SS Vega, chartered by the International Red Cross to take Red Cross Supplies to the Channel Islands, at the London Berth, St Peter Port Harbour, Guernsey. Note German FK vessels moored alongside and trains on the quay.
Major F. Sargent, Lt-Col Rogers and an Evening Post reporter at Les Landes, 1946. The cliffs at Les Landes, St Ouen, Jersey are sheer and over 200 feet high. These were chosen as the most suitable site for dumping all the German medium and heavy coastal artillery pieces.
An armoured steel turret at Fort Doyle during the post war scrap metal drive, workers used gas axes and thermal lances to cut through the enormous steel sections.
An ex-RAF Coles mobile crane lifts a depth charge found at Batterie Mirus by workers of John Upham during the scrap metal drive of the early 1950’s. The charge was originally thought to be a large grease drum used in the operation of the gun, camouflaging its true lethal purpose.
As part of the post war clearance operations ammunition was loaded onto LCTs and dumped in the Hurd Deep. Here we see wicker baskets containing 8.8cm shells about to be thrown overboard by POWs.