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. 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. 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. Youth was well to the fore with no fewer that thirty-three entered the Pedestrians in Costume (15 years and under) Class.
The HM LST 365 beached in the Old Harbour, St Peter Port, Guernsey in September 1945 to collect vehicles of Force 135 and return them to the UK.
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.
German prisoners of war in Guernsey make their way to waiting LSTs that will take them to the England.
German prisoners of war in Guernsey make their way to waiting LSTs that will take them to the England.
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. Mr. Corbet, disabled with leg injuries at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, also received a handclasp from Brigadier Snow and said that he would cherish the kind words which the Brigadier bestowed upon him.
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.
The RAF provided air cover for the landings and flew low over the island to “show the flag.” This squadron of fighters flew low over St Peter Port, Guernsey much to the delight of the islanders watching the British troops coming ashore. The mast of the US LST 516 can be seen which was beached in the Old Harbour.
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.
Warrant Officer William F. Walden-Mills, ARCM, LRAM, conducting the DCLI Band in St Peter Port on Saturday 12th May 1945.
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 (still wearing his life vest) offering sweets to a young Guernsey boy outside the Crown Hotel on the Esplanade, St Peter Port on Saturday 12th May 1945.
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.
Mrs. Elsie Jory of the Laurels Candie Road St Peter Port had painted her 'Welcome’ sign under the very noses of the Germans in her husband’s workshops whilst he had planted out 150 red and 150 white tulips the previous October.
A crowd of joyous Guernsey islanders in front of the States building in St Peter Port on May 9th 1945.
Generalmajor Siegfried Heine boarding HMS Bulldog just after midnight on Wednesday 9th May presents his Identification Authorisation to Captain H. Herzmark of the Intelligence Corps. He was escorted to the Wardroom to meet with the three British representatives to discuss the technicalities of surrender.
Royal Visit, Jersey, Thursday morning, 7th June, 1945. The St Helier Harbourmaster, Captain Harry Richmond, chats with another local harbour official on the Albert Pier as they wait for their Majesties’ arrival.
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).
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: Betty Richomme, Miss Haines, back row unknown, Mary Marteret, Mrs. M. Sewell, Miss Frazer, unknown, Maurice Gautier, Major Cooke, Mr. Hibbs Royal Court Usher, last three unknown.
Three German Artillery Carriers (Artillerieträger), AF 65, 68 and 71 moored at the top of the New North Quay, St Helier Harbour, Jersey, on 12th May, 1945. In the foreground can be seen the top of a British Landing Craft.
Royal Visit, Jersey, Thursday morning, 7th June, 1945. His Majesty, King George VI, and Major E. E. Underwood, RA, Guard Commander, inspect the Guard of honour lined up in front of the Immigration Building on the Albert Pier, St Helier Harbour. Lieutenant-General Kidman, Brigadier Snow and Lieutenant-Colonel Robinson follow behind. The troops were members of 'B’ Battery, 614 Regiment, Royal Artillery. On the roof of the immigration building are local Police Officers and a group of war correspondents.
The Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony at the Court House, St Peter Port, Guernsey, on Wednesday morning, 9th May, 1945. The two British officers from Force 135, Colonel Power and Lt-Col Stoneman salute, the Bailiff of Guernsey removed his bowler hat and Members of the Controlling Committee of the States of Guernsey look on as the Union Jack is raised after five years of German Occupation.
The Guard of Honour present arms and the officers salute as the Union Flag is broken out at the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony outside the Court Buildings.
The 'Gunners’ a detachment from 618 Regiment, Royal Artillery, part of the initial Force 135 advance party codenamed 'Omelette’ formed up on the St Julian’s Pier and was marched by Captain Hill, RA, along the White Rock towards the Weighbridge with Guernseyman Lieutenant Rex Ferbrache, RNVR, leading the way. At the States Office they stopped put the Union flag up the pole and then marched back along the esplanade to the Royal Hotel. Wednesday morning 9th May 1945.
Photograph taken on the 28th May, 1945 at the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony, Maître Ile, the Minquiers, and belonged to Brigadier Snow. Brigadier Snow boarding the J225.
Photograph taken on the 28th May, 1945 at the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony, Maître Ile, the Minquiers, and belonged to Brigadier Snow. Still going ashore. Naval Rating, Alexander Coutanche, Naval Officer and Brigadier Snow aboard J225.
On tour at Les Minquiers on 28th May 1945. L to R: Lt-Col Robinson, Brigadier Snow and Mr Alexander Coutanche.
On tour at Les Minquiers on 28th May 1945. L to R: Brigadier Snow and Mr Alexander Coutanche.
May 9th 1946. “John Bull” was followed by a brilliant splash of colour provided by the Royal Marine band from HMS King George V in navy blue uniform and white pith helmets. Their fine playing greatly added to the success of the procession and were accorded a warm reception by the spectators.
Historic scene on the Royal Court steps St Peter Port, Guernsey on 8th May 1945. The Bailiff Victor Carey Esq. leading three cheers for HM The King after HM Sheriff Mr. H. Blampied had delivered the Bailiff’s address to the people of the island regarding the cessation of German rule after nearly five years of Occupation.
Lieutenant-Colonel Stoneman, TD, RA, salutes the officer in charge of the Guard of Honour, Captain, R. Hill, RA.
The Guard of Honour present arms, the officers salute and the Bailiff removes his Bowler hat as the Union Flag is broken out at the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony outside the Court Buildings.
DCLI Band trombone players (Corporal Green, Bandsmen W. Haken & Stannard) in St Peter Port on Saturday 12th May 1945. An unusual photograph of military bandsmen wearing helmets and carrying a sidearm.
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.
Brigadier A. E. Snow, OBE, officer commanding Force 135 and Military Governor of the Channel Islands, smiles for the Press prior to the Home Secretary’s speech on 14th May, 1945.