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. Still going ashore. Naval Rating, Alexander Coutanche, Naval Officer and Brigadier Snow aboard J225.
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.
Photograph taken on the 28th May, 1945 at the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony, Maître Ile, the Minquiers, and belonged to Brigadier Snow. Notice reads, Cette MAISON est exclusivement destine à l’usage des Marins pêcheurs en cas de besoin. Elle est placée sous la protection des usagers et des Visiteurs qui sont pries de la tenir proper et d’en fermer la porte avec sou (In the event of an emergency this house is for the use of fisherman. The upkeep of the house is the responsibility of the inhabitants and visitors are asked to keep it clean and close the door after them).
On tour at Les Minquiers on 28th May 1945. L to R: Lt-Col Robinson, Brigadier Snow and Mr Alexander Coutanche.
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. “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.
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.
The initial Force 135 advance party codenamed 'Omelette' formed up on St Julian's Pier and was marched by Captain Hill along the White Rock towards the Weighbridge with Guernseyman Lieutenant Rex Ferbrache leading the way. At the States Office (now the Tourist Information Building) they stopped to put the Union flag up the pole and took this photograph on Wednesday morning 9th May 1945.
Lieutenant-Colonel Stoneman, TD, RA, salutes the officer in charge of the Guard of Honour, Captain, R. Hill, RA.
St Peter Port, Wednesday afternoon, 9th May, 1945. The Bailiff of Guernsey, Victor Carey, and two members of the Controlling Committee of the States of Guernsey, welcome Lieutenant-Colonel William Arnold ashore from LCI(L) 103. Lt-Col Arnold was Staff Officer II (Legal) with No. 20 Civil Affairs Unit, Force 135.
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.
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.
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.
Rear-Admiral C. G. Stuart, DSO, DSC (serving in the rank of Captain, RN), Naval Commander Force 135, talking to members of the States of Guernsey Controlling Committee on the terrace steps at Elizabeth College, following the reading of the Proclamation on Saturday afternoon 12th May 1945.
The Home Secretary, the Right Honourable Herbert Stanley Morrison, signing autographs in St Peter Port during his visit to Guernsey on Monday, 14th May, 1945.
The Home Secretary, the Right Honourable Herbert Morrison, in front of the Royal Court, Guernsey with Brigadier Snow, the Bailiff of Guernsey, Lt-Col Stoneman, Major Le Patourel, Rear Admiral Stuart and many others on 14th May, 1945.
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.
Lieutenant-Colonel William Arnold, the senior legal adviser with no. 20 Civil Affairs Unit, Force 135, and Guernseyman Major Wallace Le Patourel, VC, arrive at the Court Buildings, St Peter Port, to hear 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.
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.
British troops gather on the balcony of the Pomme d`Or Hotel following the raising of the Union flag on the afternoon of 9th May 1945.
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.
Crowds gather outside the harbour office in St Helier, Jersey on 9th May 1945 to witness a large Union Flag being draped from the first floor by Surgeon-Lieutenant McDonald with the assistance of Sub-Lieutenant David Milne.
German officers from the Kriegsmarine and Wehrmacht aboard the FK01 leave St Helier harbour to rendezvous with HMS Beagle on 9th May 1945.
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.
Addresses to the crowd, from a window of the States Buildings. Many people had gathered in the Royal Square, St Helier, Jersey, for the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony, on Thursday 10th May, 1945.
Addresses to the crowd, from a window of the States Buildings. Many people 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.
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.
A German Oberleutnant, possibly Feldpoliziinspector u. Dienstellenleiter Richard Bode of the German Secret Field Police (Geheime Feldpolizie or GFP), escorted by armed British troops descends the steps at the head of the New North Quay, on Sunday, 13th May, 1945. He was taken by launch to a waiting LSI anchored in St Aubin’s Bay then on to the UK and a POW camp.
The German tunnel complex Ho.8 at La Valette was eventually cleaned out entirely in the early 1960’s prior to its conversion into an aquarium.
The German tunnel complex Ho.8 at La Valette was eventually cleaned out entirely in the early 1960’s prior to its conversion into an aquarium.
St Saviour`s tunnel which is featured in many publications as 'The tunnel under the church’ is one of the largest German tunnel complexes in Guernsey. This tunnel was originally constructed as a ration store and in 1944 it was converted into a munitions store. On 9th May 1969 Richard Heaume and John Hayes explored the remains of the tunnel and its contents which had captured the interest of many collectors ever since the scrap men had left in the 1950’s.
St Saviour`s tunnel which is featured in many publications as 'The tunnel under the church’ is one of the largest German tunnel complexes in Guernsey. This tunnel was originally constructed as a ration store and in 1944 it was converted into a munitions store. On 9th May 1969 Richard Heaume and John Hayes explored the remains of the tunnel and its contents which had captured the interest of many collectors ever since the scrap men had left in the 1950’s.