Warrant Officer William F. Walden-Mills, ARCM, LRAM, conducting the DCLI Band in St Peter Port on Saturday 12th May 1945.
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 (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.
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.
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 A. E. Snow coming aboard 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. Brigadier Snow boarding the J225.
The Brigadier in the stern, Captain Fremantle, Mr Alexander Coutanche and a Naval Rating going ashore at Les Minquiers on 28th May 1945.
Carved into the diagonal brace of the door to one of the huts in the Maitresse Ils was the inscription in French: 'Liberated by the French Resistance'. Les Minquiers 28th May 1945.
Les Minquiers May 28th 1945. L to R: Buglers, Royal Marine Guard and Royal Marine Officer, Captain Fremantle, Lt-Col Robinson, Brigadier Snow and Mr Alexander Coutanche.
Captain Fremantle signalling to the vessels that transported the party to Les Minquiers on May 28th 1945.
Colonel H. R. Power, OBE, MC, chief Civil Affairs Officer (CCAO), No. 20 Civil Affairs unit, Force 135, steps ashore at St Peter Port on Wednesday morning, 9th May, 1945. He is shaking hands with Inspector Albert P. Lamy, as Mr. Martel and Police Sergeant H. Bull look on.
The crowds in front of the Court House sing the National Anthem as they witnessed the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony. God Save the King rang out over St Peter Port followed by an outburst of cheering.
Reading of the Proclamation and the King’s Message by Channel Island Commander, at Elizabeth College, St Peter Port, Guernsey, on Saturday 12th May, 1945. At the words “God Save the King” the Union Jack was broken out, the guard of honour gave the Royal Salute and the Force Commander, Brigadier A. E. Snow, OBE, saluted the Union Jack. The DCLI Band then played the National Anthem.
Brigadier Snow, OBE, commander Force 135, followed by Colonel H. R. Power, OBE, MC, Chief Civil affairs Officer, No. 20 Civil Affairs Unit, Force 135, are greeted on the steps of Elizabeth College, St Peter Port, Guernsey by the Bailiff of Guernsey Mr. Victor Carey on their arrival for the reading of the Royal Proclamation Ceremony on Saturday afternoon 12th May 1945.
Reading of the Proclamation and the King’s Message by Channel Island Commander, at Elizabeth College, St Peter Port, Guernsey, on Saturday 12th May, 1945. At the words “God Save the King” the Union Jack was broken out, the guard of honour gave the Royal Salute and the Force Commander, Brigadier A. E. Snow, OBE, saluted the Union Jack. The DCLI Band then played the National Anthem.
Brigadier Snow, OBE, reading the Royal Proclamation from the terrace steps of Elizabeth College, St Peter Port on Saturday afternoon 12th May 1945. The row of officers behind the Brigadier are (left to right) Lieutenant-Colonel E. G. Stoneman, TD, RA, Island Commander; Lieutenant-Colonel C. A. (Tiny) Wigham (Cheshires), General Staff Officer I; Rear-admiral C. G. Stuart, DSO, DSC, (serving in the rank of Captain, RN), Naval Force Commander; Lieutenant-Colonel G. J. Long (Royal Tank Regiment), Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster-General; and Colonel H. R. Power, OBE, MC.
Reading of the Proclamation and the King’s Message by Channel Island Commander, at Elizabeth College, St Peter Port, Guernsey on Saturday 12th May, 1945. Brigadier A. E. Snow, OBE, from the Terrace Steps of Elizabeth College read the Proclamation in a loud clear voice. Behind him are Force 135 senior Staff Officers and Guernsey States officials, members of the Controlling Committee and Jurats of the Royal Court.
After his brief visit to Guernsey the Home Secretary and his party were ferried out to the destroyer, Impulsive. Their next destination was Jersey. On board the landing Craft Assault (LCA) can be seen Captain Colvin, Brigadier Snow, Major Le Patourel, Mr. Herbert Morrison, Lord Munster and other British Government Officials.
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.
The Home Secretary, The Right Honourable Herbert Morrison addresses the crowds of people gathered outside the Royal Court on Monday, 14th May, 1945.
The crowds in front of the Court House burst into singing the National Anthem as they witnessed the Hoisting of the Union Flag, on the 9th May, 1945. God save the King rang out over St Peter Port, followed by a thunderous outburst of sustained cheering.
Brigadier Snow accepted the formal surrender of the German Garrison from Vizeadmiral Hüffmeier at 11.00 hours on Saturday, 12th May, at the former German Naval Headquarters, the Crown Hotel, St Peter Port. He is seen here leaving the Hotel with his ADC, Oberleutnant Edwald Severing. Hüffmeier was escorted to the harbour for evacuation to England. On the left of the photograph, with his back to the camera, is a War Correspondent from the PR Section of Force 135. Note the barbed wire that has been draped from the balcony to the railings.
From the 13th to the 19th May, 1945 the majority of the German garrison were evacuated to POW camps in the UK. Here, German POWs are driven down to West Park, Jersey by DUKW.
Troops arrive at the Weighbridge, St Helier aboard six DUKWs pre-loaded with stores having been transported to Jersey on the USS LST 527.
On the afternoon of 9th May, 1945, the first detachment of troops of Task Force 135, led by Colonel Robinson, landed at the Albert Pier. After marching to the Weighbridge, they set up their headquarters at the Pomme d'Or Hotel. Upon their arrival, the Harbourmaster, Captain Richmond, hoisted the Union Flag over the balcony.
British troops stand guard outside the Pomme d`Or Hotel in the days following Liberation. The hotel was the Naval headquarters for the German Kriegsmarine. Note the sentry box to the right of the main entrance.
Crowds gather in anticipation at the harbour offices, St Helier, Jersey on the morning of 9th May 1945 where the advance party Omelette are preparing to address the crowd.
German officers from the Kriegsmarine and Wehrmacht aboard the FK01 leave St Helier harbour to rendezvous with HMS Beagle on 9th May 1945.
Jersey, Saturday 12th May, 1945. Members of Force 135 from the initial Phases of Operation 'Moslem’ still wearing their life-vests congregate at the Weighbridge Transit Area and await orders to move to the Assembly Areas or Objectives. Behind is the Pomme d’Or Hotel that was the Tactical HQ of Force 135.
Two of the four Landing Ship Tank, the US LST 521 and 527, that beached in St Aubin’s Bay, Jersey, on Sunday 13th May, 1945.
The British troops received a warm welcome from the crowds lining the top of the sea wall as they disembarked from the Landing ship tank. Through the open bow doors of the HM LST 238 the troops step ashore. In the foreground a Military Policeman gives a child some friendly advice about the dangers of being on the beach as the vehicles drive off.
DUKWs from 1758 Independent Platoon, Royal Army Service Corps, came ashore at the Old Lifeboat Station Slip on Saturday 12th May, 1945. They drove along Commercial Buildings and initially parked in the Transit Area at the Weighbridge.
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).
The crew of HMS Beagle’s launch make ready to land, and the first Liberators stepped ashore at the end of the Albert Pier, St Helier Harbour, Jersey, on Wednesday morning, 9th May, 1945. The two officers on board were Surgeon-Lieutenant Ronald McDonald, RNVR, and Sub-Lieutenant David Milln, RN.
Lieutenant-Colonel William Robinson, MC, RA, Island commander Jersey, addresses the crowd, from a window of the States Buildings, who had gathered in the Royal Square, St Helier, Jersey, for the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony, on Thursday 10th May, 1945.
Lieutenant-Colonel William Robinson, MC, RA, Island commander Jersey, addresses the crowd, from a window of the States Buildings, who had gathered in the Royal Square, St Helier, Jersey, for the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony, on Thursday 10th May, 1945.
Lieutenant-Colonel William Robinson, MC, RA, Island commander Jersey, addresses the crowd from a window of the States Buildings, who had gathered in the Royal Square, St Helier, Jersey, for the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony, on Thursday 10th May, 1945.
Lieutenant-Colonel William Robinson, MC, RA, Island commander Jersey, addresses the crowd, from a window of the States Buildings, who had gathered in the Royal Square, St Helier, Jersey, for the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony, on Thursday, 10th May, 1945.
A German Oberleutnant, possibly Richard Bode of the German Secret Field Police (Geheime Feldpolizie or GFP), being escorted across the Weighbridge, St Helier, Jersey, from Force 135 Tactical HQ at the Pomme d’Or Hotel by armed British troops led by Major Margesson, GSOII, towards the New North Quay, on Sunday, 13th May, 1945. Note the DUKWs in the background.