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 Thursday 10th May 1945. The section of crowd at the Pierson Hotel end of the Royal Square wait eagerly for the ceremony to begin.
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.
Jersey Thursday 10th May 1945. Jerseyman Corporal Alex Mangan was kept busy signing autographs for islanders in Conway Street, St Helier.
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. Islanders crowded onto the LCI(L) 130 and asked the crew for autographs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Note the kill markings on the gun barrel.
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.
German army personnel relaxing outside a requisitioned property called The Croft in Les Canus, St Sampson formerly owned by Mrs Ruaux who was evacuated in 1940. This is a typical example of troops being billeted in local properties.
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.
A view from the foot of Bertholet Street looking up the steeply graded hill that emerges onto New Street.
With Victoria Tower in the background a view of properties in Town taken by the entrance to The Close by Doyle Road.
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 St Jospephs Methodist Church and Victoria Tower 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.
Two German soldiers stop to enjoy the views on the cliifs just west of Pointe De La Moye which can be 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 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.
The Germans installed a railway network to move food and materials around the island, these were used extensively during the construction of the fortifications. This derelict locomotive lies in St Sampson along Bulwer Avenue prior to being scrapped.
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.