大象传媒

Liberation
A special edition of the Star newspaper issued on 8th May 1945 informed people that at 10am the Bailiff had received the German surrender and advised islanders to fly their flags at 3pm and listen to the British Prime Minister's speech. An
extra States Meeting was convened at midday to convey the news to States members. We had a large flag mast at the front of the house, and during the occupation the Union Jack had been used as a tablecloth on our Christmas lunch table, while we remembered our brothers and sisters in the forces and sang the forbidden National Anthem. The tremendous joy of liberation was experienced by us and our neighbours as we stood under the mast singing the National Anthem as the flag was raised and we listened on our forbidden undetected radio to Sir Winston Churchill say "And our dear Channel Islands are also to be freed today" As we looked up to a clear blue sky and saw once again the Union Jack flying in the peace of St Saviour not a dry eye remained. We were at last FREE!!
Liberation was freedom and a return to the British way of life, this is very special and something British people must never give up. Humans seem never to appreciate what they have until it is lost, but to anyone who has lived under tyrannical rule and a Nazi domination they can truly understand the meaning of freedom, it is why the Second World War was fought, and Europe owes its freedom to the British way of life. Even today my husband Pierre still jumps if anyone walks unexpectedly into the greenhouse. He says it's a legacy of the occupation when he never knew if a German or policeman was behind him.
The great joy of Liberation is something I will never forget.
Lily Mauger.

Written from notes 1955.

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