| "I was so weak from exhaustion and dysentery...a spaniard took pity on me and nursed me back to life." | | Vasilly Marenpolsky, Ukrainian slave worker |
On May 9th every year Jersey celebrates the anniversary of the Liberation of the island from the German occupation forces of World War II. The People鈥檚 Ceremony The islands population celebrates Liberation Day in a variety of ways which includes the annual wreath laying ceremony, traditionally known as 鈥淭he People鈥檚 Ceremony鈥 which takes place at the Slave Workers Memorial, at the former 鈥淪trangers鈥 Cemetery鈥 in the grounds of Westmount Crematorium.
 | | Plaque marking spot of PoW camp on Mont Bingham |
The ceremony first originated some 40 years ago when the crew of a Russian ship placed a plaque in memory of their fellow countrymen who died in Jersey during the War. Since then, many locals have gathered together over the years to remember the forced workers in an annual Act of Remembrance which has grown into a substantial gathering. Heritage I was born in Jersey at the end of the War, of a French father, and serving naval officer, who during the war assisted the UK Naval Services in the provision of Intelligence relating to the Channel Islands, whilst my mother, grandparents, aunty and uncles, and other members of my mother鈥檚 family, like many other islanders, remained in Jersey throughout the occupation.听
 | | Site of PoW camp in Mont Bingham |
My mother, now aged 91, has over the decades, reencountered numerous stories about the German occupation including that of watching the French- Algerian Polish and Russian slave workers being forcibly marched daily by the Germans, from their prisoner of war camp at the top of Pier Road and Mont Bingham, through the streets of St.Helier, returning exhausted at night.听 Liberation 2006 As a Jersey born Muslim, I had previously been approached by the ceremony organiser, Mr. Gary Font and asked to lay a tribute in remembrance of the French Algerian slave workers, interned in Jersey from 1940-1945.
 | | The Cenotaph in the Parade |
So it was with great pride, as a Jersey woman, and representative of the Muslim Community that I took my place amongst the people of Jersey and invited dignitaries, to lay a wreath and to remember the 115 French-Algerian slave workers who were brought to Jersey, same of whom died here between 1940-1945. Guest of Honour The guest of honour at this years ceremony was Court Carlos Mironda, the Spanish Ambassador, who was joined by the Russian Federation Air Attach茅听 and other foreign nationals and dignitaries, all of whom had travelled to Jersey, join with the locals to pay homage to their respective countrymen, who had suffered and died here during the Nazi occupation of 1940-1945. These included Russian Ukrainians, Polish, Spanish, French, French-Algerians and Jewish slave workers, all of whom were represented here. We also remembered the 22 local men and women who were deported and who perished in the Nazi concentration camps. Wreath laying Ceremony
The wreath laying ceremony was led by the Island鈥檚 Bailiff, Sir Philip Bailache, followed by Mr. Simon Crowcroft the constable of St.Helier and the Very Reverend Bob Kay, the Dean of Jersey. A total of 38 wreaths were laid by various nationalities, religious faiths, the armed forces and associated organisations. Amongst the tributes were wreaths from the Channel Islands Occupation Society, Amnesty International, The Royal British Legion, together with those from a number of private individuals. Time to reminisce As the ceremony came to a close many of the participants lingered in the gardens, in the lengthening shadows, to reminisce with friends and colleagues, recalling old times. For many of those taking part in the wreath laying, this ceremony was a moving reminder of personal, poignant and tragic memories of a war which touched and fashioned their lives, and those of their families and friends. On Liberation Day 鈥 for a moment in time,听 Russian, Pole, Muslim and Jew - came together, to remember, and pay tribute:
 | | Quotes can be found at Charing Cross |
We will never forget their suffering and their pain. Yesterday 鈥 they died in the cause of Freedom! Today 鈥 we celebrate that Freedom! | 
