大象传媒

My mum, although born in Alderney, lived for all of her pre-married life in Guernsey which included the second world war years. I had heard snippets of information over the years but it was only whilst watching the recent television programme 鈥業sland at War鈥� that she really began revealing what it was really like during the occupation. I listened intently as she recalled many of her buried thoughts. I would add, that these are not first-hand memories but mum assures me she retains very deep-rooted memories of the war years as I鈥檓 certain so do others.

The opening scenes in the programme show the Germans bombing the tomato carts at fictitious St. Gregorys. Mum remembers this actually happening at the White Rock, St. Peter Port, but what was fascinating was what she told me was happening to my grandparents (mum鈥檚 parents) at the time. Mum, (Joan), was about 10 and my uncle (Ted) a little older and were being looked after by relatives for the day whilst my grandparents, (Maggie and Frank Palzeaird) travelled by Boat (The Courier) to Alderney specifically to help collect animals from the island to bring them back to Guernsey. By this time, Alderney had been evacuated and there was no-one to look after the livestock.

As the boat was nearing the harbour at St. Peter Port, it came under German fire 鈥� the planes went on to bomb the tomato carts. Apparently, chaos ensued. Everyone was ordered into the life boats but somehow nan, a non-swimmer, ended up in the water desperately trying to clutch to nearby wreckage to keep her afloat. Granddad managed to help her and luckily she was pulled into a life boat. Unfortunately, the livestock, mainly pigs didn鈥檛 fare as well and the sea became 鈥榖lood red鈥� where they had cut their own throats trying in vain to swim to land.

I believe the life boats eventually came ashore at St. Sampsons and a battered and bruised nan and granddad were finally reunited with their children.

I remember granddad as a wonderfully caring and good-natured man but one who was passionate about people being treated fairly, and many, many things during the war were not fair or just! Mum recalls how he took many risks in order to help others and would, at every opportunity, speak angrily to the Germans in his native Patois whilst vigorously gesturing with his hands. They of course hadn鈥檛 a clue what he was saying, which I鈥檓 sure added to his sense of self-satisfaction.

Nan, I remember, was an incredibly versatile cook and seemed to make a meal out of nothing. This, of course, must have stemmed from the war when food was extremely scarce. Mum remembers Parsnip Cake and Potato Peel Soup. The Germans were also starving towards the end of the war and mum said their cat and rabbits mysteriously disappeared, presumably taken for food by the Germans.

Turning back to Alderney, mum remembers my Uncle (Charlie) and Aunty (Frances) and their daughter, Guida, having to be evacuated from the island. They went to live in Portsmouth for the duration of the war with Uncle Charlie鈥檚 brother. It must have been a terrible ordeal having to simply pack one suitcase and leave behind your beloved home. Even more terrible, was the fact that they had pets, 2 dogs, a cat and pigeons. Uncle set the birds free, but was forced to shoot the other animals as there was no-one to look after them. I have a dog and cats myself, well-loved pets, and would be heart-broken to have to do what he did鈥� but as mum stressed 鈥渉e was indeed heartbroken but what choice did he have?鈥�. A very sobering thought.

It was during the liberation of Guernsey by our troops when my dad met my mum. He was in the Royal Navy and stationed aboard the HMS Bulldog. She recalls that when the troups first came ashore (she was working in Boots the Chemist at the time) the scene in the main High Street was simply amazing-everyone was cheering and crying with joy. The war was finally over!

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