20mm anti-aircraft gun salvaged in April 1969 by Mr Len Mecham and his crew of divers from the wreck of the VP209 'Dr. Rudolph Wahrenorff'. On cleaning the barnacles from the remains of the magazine five 20mm rounds were revealed.
20mm anti-aircraft gun salvaged in April 1969 by Mr Len Mecham and his crew of divers from the wreck of the VP209 'Dr. Rudolph Wahrenorff'. On cleaning the barnacles from the remains of the magazine five 20mm rounds were revealed.
The 8-foot dinghy in which Dennis Vibert escaped from Jersey to England in September 1941.
One of the many ships used by the Germans to transport war material to the islands which came to grief on the treacherous north coast of Jersey.
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.
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.
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.
May 9th 1946. Children of the Billeting Hostel, Hotel de France, under their warden Mrs. H. C. Poat formed a simple but really sincere tableau as they marched along with red white and blue flowing and with each child carrying a placard with “Thank you! Blackley” etc. These grateful boys and girls who spent the war years in England chose a happy way of expressing their gratitude to all the localities and were a notable feature of the procession.
May 9th 1946. Class 16 Equestrians in Costume Tableaux or Groups. The Guernsey Riding and Hunt Club. A member informed a spectator that the horses were living enemy relics of the German Occupation. The spectator made a humorous reply “Good! Teach them manners and naturalise them”.
May 9th 1946. Youth and Sports Clubs were well represented in the Cavalcade. St John’s Church Sunday School May-pole scene came first in Class 14.
May 9th 1946. Youth and Sports Clubs were well represented in the Cavalcade. St John’s Church Sunday School May-pole scene came first in Class 14.
May 9th 1946. The boys from Les Vauxbelets College produced a splendid tableau, a cycling representation of the war year by year leading up to the Liberation of the Channel Islands. They presented a striking picture in their white shirts, flannels, and multi-coloured tam-o-shanters.
May 9th 1946. Extremely modern was the choice of Mr. A. G. Toms who in Class 12 Decorated Motor Cars brought the UNO right into our midst with petite Jean Potter as a charming statue of peace.
May 9th 1946. The Guernsey Swimming Club in Class 11 Decorated Heavy Lorries drew many a shiver from the crowd in their realistic bathing pool which was surrounded by sand and rocks. Several members of the Guernsey Swimming Club braved the elements to appear in the Cavalcade.
May 9th 1946. There were six entries in Class 11 Decorated Heavy Lorries which produced many praiseworthy efforts. In the front was Messrs. Leale Limited’s “At Last” gorse-covered vehicle depicting a sailor hoisting the Union Jack over the conquered Swastika with a bulldog at the rear biting the hind quarters of a helmeted Nazi who was endeavouring to find refuge.
May 9th 1946. In Class 10 Decorated Trade Vehicles (Mechanical) was this radiant and charming bevy of girls who were some of the candidates in the competition for Guernsey’s Holiday Princess being held by the Gaumont Palace.
May 9th 1946. One of the finest floral exhibits was Mr. James G. Falla’s effort “Just Married” in Class 10, Decorated Trade Vehicles (Mechanical). This depicted a church with a Union Jack flying and a bell tolling while a newly-married couple with their customary attendants and priest leave the church door.
May 9th 1946. The Home Secretary Mr. Chuter Ede talking to some of the younger entrants in the Cavalcade.
May 9th 1946. Recalling the vivid memories of 9th May 1945 when the two destroyers Bulldog and Beagle anchored off Guernsey was Bertram de la Mare a five-year-old sailor boy with HMS Bulldog inscribed on his cap. Behind Bertram is Kathleen Corbet covered in wood shavings making a striking “I’m a Chip off the Old Block”.
May 9th 1946. Honours in the Junior Class 2 (a) in the Cavalcade for pedestrians in costume easily went to three-year-old David A. Rose, Guernsey’s “Winston Churchill” complete with top-hat cigar and walking stick made a big hit as he strolled along. He is seen here in the sidecar of Mr. F. H. Rose’s decorated motor cycle, “A Churchillian Scene” in Class 22.
May 9th 1946. Youth was well to the fore with no fewer that thirty-three entered the Pedestrians in Costume (15 years and under) Class.
May 9th 1946. Believed to be Elizabeth Taylor winner of the Decorated Cycles with Cyclist in Costume. Class 7, “Guernsey 1746.” Elizabeth went back before living memory to Guernsey 1746, dressed in old-fashioned costume. Behind her can be seen twelve-year-old Hazel Carré in Class 1 who had been an evacuee at St Helen’s Lancashire. She caught the eye with a decorated cycle depicting Freedom while in the same class twelve-year-old John Taylor made a fine cycling “clown”.
May 9th 1946. The Liberation Cavalcade marched in stately procession, headed by “John Bull” (Mr. Wilfred Shirvell), and moved off from the Half-Way punctually at 3 p.m.
Following the Thanksgiving Service on Sunday 19th August 1945 conducted by the Rev. T. Davis, Vicar of St James, there was a march past of all the troops that had taken part in the service. Drawn from every unit in the island the troops formed up in the vicinity of the Guernsey Brewery. At 12 noon the troops proceeded along the Coal Quay and the North Esplanade then on to the Weighbridge where Brigadier A. E. Snow OBE took the salute. Beside him on the dais is the Bailiff of Guernsey Victor Carey Esq.
In June 1940 men of military age were called upon to leave the Channel Islands and hundreds went immediately.
SS Sandhill, Group III of the Liberation Fleet which arrived at St Peter Port Harbour, Guernsey, on 13th May carrying essential supplies. Once unloaded the much awaited food stuffs were transported to the Detail Issue Depot (DID) ready for distribution to islanders.
Lines of German prisoners of war waiting on the beach to board the three LST, 295, 527 and 521 that beached in St Aubin’s Bay, Jersey, on Saturday 19th May 1945.
German soldiers, now prisoners of war, waiting to embark in LST from the beach between West Park and First Tower, St Aubin’s Bay, Jersey on Saturday 19th May 1945. The US LST 295 had been part of the Second Lift bringing equipment and stores to the island on the 18th May.
Wehrmacht prisoners of war proceed along Victoria Avenue to West Park, Jersey, where DUKWs were waiting on the beach to ferry them out to the LSI anchored in St Aubin’s Bay. Their eventual destination being POW camps in the UK.
As Brigadier Snow was leaving the grounds of Elizabeth College following the reading of the Proclamation he caught sight of two disabled Guernseymen both proudly wearing medals which had been gained in the World War of 1914-18. They were Mr. Arthur Henry Sims of La Rousalerie, La Ramée, St Peter Port, and Mr. F. T. Corbet of “Guillemont”, Braye Road, St Sampson. Brigadier Snow stopped and went across to Mr. Sims. He shook hands with him and asked him how he had lost his two legs. Mr. Sims told the Brigadier that if had happened at the Battle of Cambrai. He added that he was proud and pleased to see British boys here once again.
Brigadier Snow, OBE, and his officers prepare to leave Elizabeth College grounds after the reading of the Proclamation and King’s Message Ceremony. L to R: Lieutenant-colonel E. G. Stoneman, TD, RA; Rear-Admiral C. G. Stuart, DSO, DSC (serving in the rank of Captain, RN), Naval Commander Force 135; and Brigadier A. E. Snow, OBE.
Brigadier Snow and Senior Officers of Force 135 salute as the Union Flag is broken out and the DCLI Band played the National Anthem at the reading of the Proclamation and King’s Message Ceremony, at Elizabeth College, Guernsey on Saturday afternoon 12th May 1945.
The American LST 516 beached in the Old Harbour, St Peter Port, Guernsey, on Saturday 12th May 1945. Once the tide had receded the vehicles laden with equipment and supplies disembarked.
The American LST 516 beached in the Old Harbour, St Peter Port, Guernsey, on Saturday 12th May 1945. Once the tide had receded the vehicles laden with equipment and supplies disembarked.
The American LST 516, piloted by Captain Abbey formerly of Isle de Serk, manoeuvred through the narrow entrance of the Inner Harbour and came to rest within a few yards of the sea wall and moored to the north and south piers of the Old Harbour and waited for the tide to recede. Tommies and Doughboys were singing and shouting and generally giving greeting to Guernsey, from the top deck. Guernsey folk are also welcoming a detachment of British Troops trying to make their way along the Esplanade.
During Saturday morning 12th May, several of the LSTs at anchor off St Peter Port, Guernsey lowered several British LCP(V) and other landing craft which unloaded specialist troops and their equipment. One of the landing craft is seen here unloading a Jeep and a lorry at the slipway of the Old Harbour.
The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (DCLI) Band stops to play in the street leading from Le Pollet into the North Esplanade, St Peter Port. Their schedule was a busy one as they played at the Proclamation Ceremony at Elizabeth College during the early afternoon of Saturday 12th May 1945 and were then transported by ship to Jersey for a similar ceremony in the Royal Square, St Helier later in the day.
Petty Officer John Langlois, son of Mrs. and the late Mr. Langlois, of the Green lanes, arrived in Guernsey on Saturday 12th May and before he had marched more than a few yards was greeted unexpectedly by his sister. PO Langlois, who was educated at Amherst School, joined HM forces in 1936, landed in France on D-Day and was last in the island on leave in 1939.
Lance-Corporal Dispatch Rider, Force 135, putting a sweet into a boy’s mouth much to the delight of the watching crowd on the Esplanade, St Peter Port on Saturday 12th May 1945. The soldier is wearing a blue armband with the letters 'RP’ (Regimental Police) in red.
Lance-Corporal Dispatch Rider, Force 135, giving out sweets to a group of delighted children on the Esplanade, St Peter Port on Saturday 12th May 1945.
A crowd of joyous Guernsey islanders in front of the States building in St Peter Port on May 9th 1945.
Gathered with Guernsey States officials on the Court House steps for the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony are (left to right front row) Colonel H. R. Power, OBE, MC, No. 20 Civil Affairs Unit; the Bailiff of Guernsey, Mr. Victor Carey; Lieutenant-Colonel E. G. Stoneman, TD, RA, officer commanding 618 Regiment, Royal Artillery, Force 135.
Colonel Herbert Power OBE, MC, Chief Civil Affairs Officer, No. 20 Civil Affairs Unit, Force 135, makes little headway along the Glategny Esplanade after leaving the Royal Hotel. He was besieged by thankful islanders wanting to shake his hand and obtain his autograph. PC 24 Basil Le Page tries to help him through the enthusiastic crowd.
Royal Visit, Jersey, Thursday, 7th June, 1945. A Ford 1-cwt recording truck used by the BBC correspondents for the Royal Visit parked in St Helier Church Yard, opposite the entrance of the new States buildings. The man on the left is a War Correspondent, possibly Howard Marshall’s Recording Engineer W. S. Costello, and the soldier on the right is most probably the driver of the truck. On the windscreen can be seen displayed the Royal Visit St Patrick’s Cross vehicle permit, issued by Force 135 HQ, and another identifying the truck as belonging to the BBC.
Surgeon-Lieutenant Ronald McDonald, RNVR, and Sub-Lieutenant David Milln, RN, shortly after landing at the end of the Albert Pier, St Helier, Harbour, Jersey, on Wednesday morning 9th May, 1945. Welcoming them ashore are L to R: Mary Marteret, Miss Frazer, unknown, and just in the picture Major Cooke.
Surgeon-Lieutenant Ronald McDonald, RNVR, and Sub-Lieutenant David Milln, RN, shortly after landing at the end of the Albert Pier, St Helier, Harbour, Jersey, on Wednesday morning 9th May, 1945. The German sign behind them advises Achtung Nicht Ankern Hafenspere (Attention No Anchoring Harbour Boom).