CIMM
CIMM_0072
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.
CIMM_0071
Jersey Friday 11th May 1945. The Royal Court’s first sitting since the Liberation of Jersey assembled at 11 a.m. on Friday morning, 12 May 1945. In attendance were Force 135 officers including L to R; Captain C. Hargreaves, Major Anderson, making their way through the streets of St Helier to the Court.
CIMM_0070
Jersey Friday 11th May 1945. The Royal Court’s first sitting since the Liberation of Jersey assembled at 11 a.m. on Friday morning, 12 May 1945. In attendance were Force 135 officers including L to R; Captain L. Ogden, and Lt-Col W. Arnold, making their way through the streets of St Helier to the Court.
CIMM_0069
Jersey Thursday 10th May 1945. After the speeches the St James Boys Brigade Band, headed by Dae Donavan their drum-major, struck up a rousing march and marched out of the Royal Square followed by Lt-Col Robinson and the troops that had formed the Guard of Honour.
CIMM_0068
Jersey Thursday 10th May 1945. The Guard of Honour and the Islanders wait patiently in the Royal Square for the States Members to arrive for the Hoisting the Flag Ceremony. Lt-Col. Robinson, deep in thought, paces the pavement outside the States Buildings.
CIMM_0067
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.
CIMM_0066
Jersey Thursday 10th May 1945. The Guard of Honour is marched off the Weighbridge led by Lt-Col Robinson and followed closely by Captain Le Brocq.
CIMM_0065
Jersey Thursday 10th May 1945. The Guard of Honour is handed over to Lt-Colonel W. P. A. Robinson, MC, RA, the Island Commander, Jersey and Commanding Officer 620 Regiment, Royal Artillery. Captain Hugh Le Brocq is on the right.
CIMM_0064
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.
CIMM_0063
Jersey Thursday 10th May 1945. Jerseyman Corporal Alex Mangan was kept busy signing autographs for islanders in Conway Street, St Helier.
CIMM_0062
Jersey Thursday 10th May 1945. Three Jersey lads, Private Raymond Ahier, Sergeant Winter de Gruchy, and Corporal Alex Mangan, serving with the 11th (RMIJ) Battalion, the Hampshire Regiment, in Broad Street, Jersey.
CIMM_0061
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).
CIMM_0060
Jersey Liberation Wednesday 9th May 1945. Islanders crowded onto the LCI(L) 130 and asked the crew for autographs.
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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.
CIMM_0058
Jersey Liberation Wednesday 9th May 1945. Once moored alongside the New North Quay crew members of one of the HM Motor minesweepers relax after clearing the approaches to St Helier Harbour. This minesweeper is most probably the FY PT 542 commanded by Lieutenant Idris Edwards, RNVR.
CIMM_0057
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.
CIMM_0056
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.
CIMM_0055
Jersey Liberation Wednesday 9th May 1945. One of two sentries that were posted to guard the mooring ropes, maintain discipline and ensure security of the vessel to prevent over enthusiastic islanders boarding the LCI(L) 130 and removing items as souvenirs.
CIMM_0054
Jersey Liberation Wednesday 9th May 1945. Officers of LCI(L) 130 with a Royal Engineer Major (third left) from the 'Omelette’ Advance Party. L to R; First Lieutenant (name unknown), RNVR; Sub.Lt. Jimmy Cooper, RNVR; and Commanding Officer, Lt Charles Sanders, RNVR.
CIMM_0053
The LCI(L) 130 moored alongside the New North Quay, St. Helier Harbour, Jersey. Almost immediately the main 'Omelette’ advance party of some 200 men began to land at 5pm on Wednesday 9th May.
CIMM_0052
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
CIMM_0051
Three British soldiers guard the main gate at Fort Regent to prevent Jersey islanders from entering. John Langlois is the small boy on someone’s shoulders waving the Red Ensign, son of Fred and Mary Langlois. Third from left is 16-year-old Dennis Perrier.
CIMM_0050
A Royal Navy rating from HMS Beagle’s launch is also given a hero’s welcome by a group of Jersey islanders outside the Harbour Office at the Weighbridge.
CIMM_0049
The launch from HMS Beagle was swamped with autograph hunters at the end of the Albert Pier, Jersey.
CIMM_0048
The launch from HMS Beagle was swamped with autograph hunters at the end of the Albert Pier, Jersey.
CIMM_0047
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.
CIMM_0046
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.
CIMM_0045
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.
CIMM_0044
Everyone on the Albert Pier in Jersey wanted their photograph taken with the first Liberators ashore. L to R: Miss Betty Richomme, Miss Haines, St John Ambulance Nurses back row unknown, Mary Martret, Margaret Sewell, Surgeon-Lieutenant Ronald McDonald, Miss Frazer, Sub-Lieutenant David Milln, unknown, Maurice Gautier and Major V. Cooke.
CIMM_0043
As the craft carrying the German Island Commander and the Bailiff of Jersey reached the head of Elizabeth Castle breakwater it was passed by the launch from HMS Beagle inward bound. As the launch passed through the pierheads the crowd could see that the men on board were wearing Royal Navy uniforms, and they let out loud cheers of welcome.
CIMM_0042
View looking across St. Aubin’s bay, Jersey from St. Helier Harbour. HMS Beagle can be seen at anchor behind Elizabeth Castle breakwater. One of the two square bunkers housing the firing points for the electrically detonated mines laid in the approaches to the harbour can be seen at the root of the castle breakwater.
CIMM_0041
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.
CIMM_0040
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.
CIMM_0039
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.
CIMM_0038
The RM Stores in King Street, St. Helier, Jersey featured the big three. Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt, with 'Winnie’, standing on a map of Jersey, holding up Hitler by the seat of his breeches.
CIMM_0037
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.
CIMM_0020
The Red Cross ship SS Vega leaving Jersey at noon on 4th January 1945 on her way to Guernsey.
CIMM_0036
Recently liberated Algerian POWs stand at Pier Road, Jersey on the 24th May 1945 prior to the Empire Day parade. Note the assortment of uniforms.
CIMM_0035
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.
CIMM_0034
Troops arrive at the Weighbridge, St Helier aboard six DUKWs pre-loaded with stores having been transported to Jersey on the USS LST 527.
CIMM_0033
A hive of activity taking place at the side door of the Pomme d 'Or Hotel in Conway Street, Jersey. German prisoners are guarded by British troops. The vehicles are a Morris and a Bedford 15 cwt which had been captured by the
CIMM_0032
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.
CIMM_0031
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.
CIMM_0030
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.
CIMM_0029
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.
CIMM_0028
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.
CIMM_0027
Accompanied by Generalmajor Wulf and two staff officers standing at the rear of the Royal Navy pinnace the Bailiff and solicitor general wave their hats as they head out to HMS Beagle where the surrender will be signed.
CIMM_0026
German officers from the Kriegsmarine and Wehrmacht aboard the FK01 leave St Helier harbour to rendezvous with HMS Beagle on 9th May 1945.
CIMM_0025
Crowds gather to hear Winston Churchill’s speech in Royal Square, St Helier, Jersey on the afternoon of Tuesday 8th May 1945.
CIMM_0024
This was the scene in the Royal Square, St Helier, Jersey on Tuesday the 8th May 1945 as a huge crowd gathered to hear Winston Churchill’s speech to mark the end of the war and a historical moment for the occupied Channel Islands.