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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jersey Thursday 10th May 1945. Jerseyman Corporal Alex Mangan was kept busy signing autographs for islanders in Conway Street, St Helier.
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).
Jersey Liberation Wednesday 9th May 1945. Islanders crowded onto the LCI(L) 130 and asked the crew for autographs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
The launch from HMS Beagle was swamped with autograph hunters at the end of the Albert Pier, Jersey.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The gun crew of Flak Batterie Kapellendorf located off Les Grandes Capelles in St Sampson. This battery of four 8.8cm Flak 18 guns which were used in an anti-aircraft role. This sequence of photographs were taken in December 1941. Note the gas holders located at Le Bouet in the background.
The gun crew of Flak Batterie Kapellendorf located off Les Grandes Capelles in St Sampson. This battery of four 8.8cm Flak 18 guns which were used in an anti-aircraft role. This sequence of photographs were taken in December 1941.
The gun crew of Flak Batterie Kapellendorf located off Les Grandes Capelles in St Sampson. This battery of four 8.8cm Flak 18 guns which were used in an anti-aircraft role. This sequence of photographs were taken in December 1941. Note the Luftwaffe insignia on the PT shirts.
The gun crew of Flak Batterie Kapellendorf located off Les Grandes Capelles in St Sampson. This battery of four 8.8cm Flak 18 guns which were used in an anti-aircraft role. This sequence of photographs were taken at Christmas 1941.
The gun crew of Flak Batterie Kapellendorf located off Les Grandes Capelles in St Sampson. This battery of four 8.8cm Flak 18 guns which were used in an anti-aircraft role. This sequence of photographs were taken in December 1941.
The gun crew of Flak Batterie Kapellendorf located off Les Grandes Capelles in St Sampson. This battery of four 8.8cm Flak 18 guns which were used in an anti-aircraft role. This sequence of photographs were taken in December 1941.
The gun crew of Flak Batterie Kapellendorf located off Les Grandes Capelles in St Sampson. This battery of four 8.8cm Flak 18 guns which were used in an anti-aircraft role. This sequence of photographs were taken in December 1941.
The gun crews of Flak Batterie Kapellendorf seen here inside a greenhouse which appears to also be the crews accommodation and rest area. Note the beds on the right and the uniforms hanging up to the left.
The gun crew of Flak Batterie Kapellendorf located off Les Grandes Capelles in St Sampson. This battery of four 8.8cm Flak 18 guns which were used in an anti-aircraft role. This sequence of photographs were taken in December 1941.
Big crowds gather on Liberation Day on May 9th 1946 to watch the procession in St Peter Port.
German army personnel relaxing outside a requisitioned property called The Croft in Les Canus, St Sampson formerly owned by Mrs Ruaux who was evacuated in 1940. This is a typical example of troops being billeted in local properties.
Victor Gontier a former internee at Laufen, seen here circa 1948 with a team from Gilroy’s which were engaged in backfilling trenches and salvaging scrap at Batterie Dollmann, Pleinmont.
Marching past the former White Heart Hotel sited opposite the Weighbridge, a young girl presents a pose of flowers to one of Guernsey’s Liberators on the occasion of the islands freedom on 9 May 1945.
Two years after Liberation on 23rd May 1947 Guernsey had a special visit from Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery (Monty). During his visit he met with many dignitaries including those from Elizabeth College, St John Ambulance, Sea Scouts and many others. His tour was welcomed by all with the streets of Guernsey lined with locals wanting to catch a glimpse of Monty. His famous vehicle known as Old Faithful carried him around the island and included a stop at the grounds of Beau Sejour.
German soldiers with a local resident at one of the properties alongside the road leading down to Moulin Huet Bay with Jerbourg headland and the beach of Petit Port in the distance.
With Victoria Tower in the background a view of properties in Town taken by the entrance to The Close by Doyle Road.
Taken from the roof of a house near the junction of Les Gravees and Queens Road looking towards the spire of Notre Dame Roman Catholic Chapel and convent.
Enjoying a stroll around Guernsey’s southern cliffs a group of Germans stop for a rest near Moulin Huet by Dog and Lion Rocks with the small harbour at Saints Bay seen in the background.
A German soldier relaxes on a rock outcrop sited on the coastal footpath leading to Pointe De La Moye with Icart headland in the background.
Taken at Route de Cobo near Bouverie Lane looking towards Cobo Coast Road note, the white lines painted on the sea wall to aid drivers during the night in blackout conditions.
A typical stop for German troops seeking propaganda photographs featuring British institutions here outside Lloyds Bank located at the foot of Smith Street leading to the Pollet.
HMS Bulldog (Destroyer) H 91 off St Peter Port, Guernsey, on Wednesday morning, 9th May, 1945.
Off St Aubin’s Bay, Jersey on Wednesday afternoon, 9th May, 1945. HMS Cosby (Frigate) K 559, LCI(L) 130 carrying the Force 135 'Omelette advance party’, and HMS Beagle (Destroyer) H 30.
Funeral service for Royal Navy victims of HMS Charybdis and HMS Limbourne who were buried with full military honours at Le Foulon Cemetery.