Crowds gather to mark Jersey's Liberation Day 2025
Eighty years on from Liberation Day - 9 May 1945 - Jersey residents have come together for a day of commemoration and of celebration.It marks a key moment in the history of the island as after five years the occupying forces surrendered.The day has been filled with events - from memorial services to parades and speeches and a re-enactment of the arrival of the liberating troops in 1945.People who lived through the German Occupation, who evacuated ahead of it beginning and those whose relatives endured those five long years have shared their stories throughout the day.
A message from King Charles III
The monarch's representative in Jersey - Lieutenant-Governor Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd - shared a message from King Charles in Liberation Square in St Helier.The King sent his "very warmest greetings", and said he and the Queen's thoughts were with the people of Jersey "on this most significant day".He recalled a trip to Jersey in 1995, to unveil the Liberation Sculpture on behalf of my his late mother Queen Elizabeth II, on the 50th anniversary of Liberation."That monument remains not only a poignant reminder of the trials and hardships that the people of Jersey endured during the Second World War, but also the jubilation they felt when finally this came to an end on the 9 May 1945," he said.The King said he and the Queen would "be with the people of Jersey now and in the years to come".
St Martin Constable Karen Shenton Stone said history must not be taken for granted in a speech in Liberation Square where she shared her relatives' Occupation experiences.She said: "Let this island forever be known for its democracy and inclusion, its freedom and community, if it makes us an exception - then so be it."Where others may forget, let these five years echo in our eternity, because we must never return to the dark days of the Occupation."
Among the crowds in St Helier on Liberation Day was Maureen St George, who was 12 years old on 9 May 1945."I remember everything, it was a lovely, lovely day," she said.Ms St George added: "Everybody was so happy, and the troops, the Army, were throwing us sweets and things, it was wonderful."The 92-year-old said she would "never forget that day".
'Let us all stand together'
The Bailiff of Jersey Sir Timothy Le Cocq was among those to give speeches at a Service of Thanksgiving.It was Mr Le Cocq's final Liberation Day speech, as he is expected to retire in October.He ended the speech by saying: "As we mark this 80th anniversary, let us all stand together as members of our island community, who are all, whether born here of not, inheritors of a legacy, a legacy of endurance, of hope, and of liberation."Thank you all for being a part of this day."Thank you for remembering, and thank you for helping to carry the memory forward."
Hundreds of people gathered for a service to mark the contribution of the International Red Cross ship the SS Vega.It arrived in the Channel Islands on 30 December 1944 carrying more than 119,000 standard food parcels on its first trip.The ship continued its vital supply missions throughout the Occupation and after the island's liberation in May 1945.Speaking at the memorial, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham said: "This ship, though modest in size, holds enormous significance for us, especially for the many islanders here today whose families lived through the hardship and uncertainty of those occupation years."
At about 15:00 BST, crowds gathered at Westmount to remember the slaves from Nazi-occupied countries who died in the island during World War Two.The members of nine families descended from forced and slave workers also gathered to pay their respects.
There were plenty of celebrations around the parishes in Jersey, including the Liberation Day church service in St John.Paul Vane was there wearing his grandfather's medals from World War Two and the Korean War.He said: "I think it's really important to remember and to continue that legacy, to remember the freedoms that we have and enjoy today are because of the people that served during the Second World War, and the First World War for that matter."We can't be too complacent about it, it's really important in our history, and I think it's important that we carry it on."
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