大象传媒

I have been asked many times to tell my story of what happened to me in World War ll. I don't know why, as I am sure there are far more interesting stories to tell. In my opinion it should all be forgotten, but British people seem to glorify war so much, and forget the many victims who suffered for nothing.

I was 14 when the war started At first it did not affect us in Guernsey at all, everything went on as normal. The first time we had any concern was when we were told that we must evacuate to England, but not to panic. Most of us didn't know where England was at that time, so there was a little panic. People didn't know what to do. It is a big decision to leave everything and go away with a gas mask around your neck.

Mothers and children had to report to their respective schools. I went with them, but as I had just left school at 14 I was told I could not go with them. so I went back home with my Dad.
It was a rather sad time as we parted. My mother and 2 brothers going to we knew not where and us staying here. Little did we know it would be a long five years before we would meet again. Although in my case it was to be 9 years as I joined the British Army in 1945.
We were told that there would be some boats coming for those who wanted to go, but that the Channel Islands had been declared an open Town and nothing would happen to us. At this time things were going on fairly normally. The growers were still sending tomatoes to England and taking a few evacuees as passengers.
My Dad found it difficult to decide what to do. I don鈥檛 think he really wanted to leave our house without anyone in it. Anyway. that day our mind was made up for us. German planes bombed the growers lorries on the White Rock and strafed St. Peter Port with machine gun fire. Fifty people were killed and many wounded. We were now stranded.

After a few quiet days with no further communication with England the Germans landed at the Airport- The occupation had begun. The ftrst German soldiers I remember seeing were on St. Sampsons, Bridge. I was standing around with some of my mates, when four soldiers drove down on their motorbikes with sidecars, they parked and all jumped off. They marched into Godfrey鈥檚 Chocolate Shop. We pretended we weren't scared, and marched in behind them. The young lady behind the counter nearly fainted at the sight of the four Germans and half a dozen ragged kids invading her sweet shop. They walked up to the counter, we stood by the door ready for a fast exit. The German spokesman said "Don't be afraid, we've come to buy some of your English chocolate", the young lady quickly gave, I don't know how many Cadburys chocolate bars and took their money. After we had calmed her down a bit we thought if the Germans are coming here and buying all our chocolate we had better get some in so we spent what little money we had.

After this little episode things started to get more serious. hand in your guns, radios, cameras, don't go near the beaches, do as you are told or you will be shot, it said in the Press.
All through the five years I can't think of any Guemseymen getting shot, although a lot went to prison for stealing food and minor sabotage.

Edward J Rowe

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