I thought I’d reprise this post from two years ago.
My voice caught a couple of times but I got through my reading OK yesterday. The occasion was a musical event held in the renovated German Command Bunker at Noirmont overlooking Jersey’s south coast. It was certainly a poignant affair marking the 68th anniversary of the Liberation.
But the star and absolute hero of the day was Eric Walker B.E.M. Eric was 90 three days ago. He was one of the British liberating forces on 9th May 1945. He went on to help clear many thousands of mines from the Channel Islands, then further afield, before settling down in Jersey as its Bomb Disposal Officer for many years.
Eric Walker B.E.M.
The northernmost of the Channel Islands is Alderney. Unlike the other islands Alderney was totally evacuated before the German invasion. It was heavily fortified using slave and forced labour. There were many recorded atrocities visited on the forced workers…
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Back On The Rock 
So poignant and powerful Roy.
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Thank you Andrea. Occupation/Liberation have become powerfully symbolic whereas, immediately after the ceasing of hostilities, the people just wanted it all forgotten in a bid to rebuild their lives.
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Two years ago I wasn’t here, I’ll take a look right now! Thanks for bringing it back to us 🙂
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Thank you for your visit Lily 🙂
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Great reminder of a great post,and timely too! Happy VE Day!
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Thank you SV, indeed VE Day for so many, though those celebrations are a bit muted I think. Maybe it’s not thought a good idea to keep going on about it now we’re friends with Germany.
I haven’t been up to Alderney since – I really should make the effort.
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Very powerful. WWII has been very present in our lives lately for some reason. Movies, books and a Holocaust survivor speaking recently. We must always remember what this war cost us.
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Hi Juliann. Indeed that’s right. It’s particularly poignant for those who were around at the time and were affected. Not forgetting those that were born in the post-war years and who have strong folk memories through their parents etc. You’d hope the lessons would have been learnt but nationalism is raising its ugly head again everywhere.
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