Commemorating 78 years of freedom in Jersey
Welcome from the Bailiff of Jersey
On this, the 78 Anniversary of Jersey’s Liberation, I warmly welcome you to celebrate Jersey’s national day as a community.
This year we mark the anniversary in Liberation Square with friends and family as part of an annual tradition, on this occasion the finale of a four-day weekend which has let us witness another significant moment in history, the Coronation of King Charles III.
Joining together on Liberation Day will always be important as we gather to reflect on the Occupation. Whether we are a survivor or a descendant of someone who lived through the Second World War, be it as a member of the armed forces, occupied civilian, deportee, internee, evacuee, slave worker, or indeed as anyone who has come more recently to Jersey and embraced and become a part of our community, this day is significant to us
As a vibrant and mature community, we have, since the Liberation of Jersey, opened our island up and welcomed many nationalities which now call it home and within our diverse community
we have developed and strengthened our relations with other jurisdictions around the world.
I am pleased that today we welcome friends from Germany, led by the German Ambassador His Excellency Mr Miguel Berger as well as the Mayors from the German towns of Bad Wurzach and Dorsten. These relationships have matured and grown over the years through a desire to reconcile and it is thanks to this reconciliation and the growth of real friendship that we all sit here today.
Jersey was a very different place in the wartime years, as indeed was Europe, and the racist and oppressive regime that Nazi Germany no longer exists. That is behind us, but there are many countries around the world, even of course in Europe, suffering conflict and wars today. We can hope on this Liberation Day that they can, in the future, resolve differences or overcome oppression to live the peaceful and harmonious life as that we are fortunate to do here.
Sir Timothy Le CocqCommemorating 78 years of freedom in Jersey
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Commemorating 78 years of freedom in Jersey
liberation day
On 8 May Winston Churchill made his now famous speech, which included the words, “and our dear Channel Islands are also to be freed today.” This was greeted with so much excitement that the Bailiff, Alexander Coutanche, had to ask for patience and restraint among islanders.
In fact, it was early the following morning that a British destroyer was sighted coming into St Aubin’s Bay and word spread that the Liberation of Jersey had begun. HMS Beagle anchored in the bay, and a launch brought two naval officers into the harbour where they were greeted by ecstatic crowds who lifted them onto their shoulders and took them down to the Weighbridge.
The arrival of the naval officers and the draping of the Union flag from the window of what was the Harbourmaster’s office beings the reenactment today. Today, the flags are flown again in a ceremony which will bring back memories of that happy day for the islanders who were here at the time.
Other poignant memories will be tinged with sadness, especially memories of those who were not to return home, having made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of freedom.
There were other patriotic Jersey men and women who could not be in St Helier to celebrate the coming of liberation, including those who were fighting in the Far East, those who had been deported and were awaiting repatriation, and those who had been evacuated to England before the Occupation had begun.
Liberation Day has become Jersey’s national day and we celebrate our way of life A street party, music, dancing, and local food stalls are among the events being planned to celebrate Liberation Day.
programme of events
09:00 Liberation Square opens to the public.
10:15 General public to be seated
10:30 States sitting presided by the Bailiff. The Chief Minister will address the States Assembly.
10:50 Procession of States
Members followed by procession led by the Royal Mace, to Liberation Square.
11:05 Prayer by the Dean of Jersey.
Continues... th
liberation day service
Welcome & Address: Sir Timothy Le Cocq, Bailiff of Jersey.
Service of Thanksgiving: The Dean of Jersey, The Very Reverend Mike Keirle.
Welcome: On this 78 anniversary of the Liberation of our Island, we welcome you to this service, in the name of Jesus Christ who has liberated us and reconciled us to God through his death on the cross.
Grace, mercy and peace be with you all.
All: And also with you
Hymn:
1. Sing to God new songs of worship all his deeds are marvellous; he has brought salvation to us with his hand and holy arm. He has shown to all the nations righteousness and saving power; he recalled his truth and mercy to his people Israel.
2. Sing to God new songs of worship earth has seen his victory; let the lands of earth be joyful praising him with thankfulness. Sound upon the harp his praises, play to him with melody; let the trumpets sound his triumph, show your joy to God the King!
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3. Sing to God new songs of worship let the sea now make a noise; all on earth and in the waters, sound your praises to the Lord. Let the hills rejoice together, let the rivers clap their hands, for with righteousness and justice he will come to judge the earth.
Reading: Member of the Jewish congregation
Isaiah 11:1-9
Prayers: The Island Ecumenical leaders
Loving God, we celebrate and give you thanks for the end of hostilities that brought liberation to this Island 78 years ago today.
We thank you: for the strong bonds between Islanders, within families and between friends, that sustained this community through those dark years of occupation; for the service and sacrifice of all who made and still make our liberation possible; for the peace we have enjoyed and under which we have lived since 1945 and for the reconciliation and partnership with those who were once enemies.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
We bring before you those who are currently held captive in our world today; Those whose homes and land is occupied and who long for liberation, especially those communities who are represented in our Island population. We ask that they too may be delivered from evil and know the peace and freedom that you came to bring.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
We pray for unity in our world; for the breaking down of barriers that separate us, for an end to war and the escalation of conflict, for those who lead our nations and those who work towards peace and reconciliation; Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
We pray for our Island community, for friendship and trust amongst us all for an appreciation of our interdependence for a community that is in harmony with itself and for a fresh understanding of your call to love our neighbour as ourselves through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
And together, we pray
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, For ever and ever, Amen
Hymn:
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to his feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, who like me his praise should sing?
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise the everlasting King.
Praise him for his grace and favour to our fathers in distress; praise him still the same for ever, slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise him! Praise him!
Glorious in his faithfulness.
Father-like, he tends and spares us; well our feeble frame he knows; in his hands he gently bears us, rescues us from all our foes.
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise him! Praise him!
Widely as his mercy flows.
Angels, help us to adore him; ye behold him face to face; sun and moon, bow down before him; dwellers all in time and space.
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise with us the God of grace
The blessing: The Dean of Jersey
Where there is hatred: Let us sow love.
Where there is injury: Let us offer pardon.
Where there is discord: Let us create union.
Where there is doubt: Let us proclaim faith.
Where there is despair: Let us give hope.
Where there is darkness: Let us shed light.
Where there is sadness: Let us bring joy, Amen.
The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you and remain with you always, Amen.
Beautiful Jersey
The Musical Originals Singers, conducted by Imogen Nicholls MBE, with soloist Miss Sydney Haskins encapsulate the spirit of the islanders by singing the popular song ‘Beautiful Jersey’ accompanied by the Band of the Island of Jersey with the first verse being sung in Jèrriais –
Soloist –
Man Bieau P'tit Jèrri
Y'a un coin d'terre que j'aime, que j'n'oubliéthai janmaisDans mes pensées tréjous preunmyi -
Car jé n'vai rein à compather à ses bieautés Dans touos mes viages à l'êtrangi. Jèrri, man paradis, pus belle taque souos l'soléQué j'aime la paix dé chu Jèrri!
L'amour lé veurt, j'ai si envie dé m'en r'aller Èrvaie man chièr pétit pays.
re-enactment
The key elements which took place on 9 May 1945 are revived in Liberation Square. You are warmly encouraged to cheer and applaud at the appropriate moments.
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Two Royal Naval officers, Surgeon-Lt. Ronald McDonald and Sub-Lt. David Milln, represented today by Lt. Cdr. SCC Trevor Rayson RNR and Lt SCC Ron Perchard RNR, arrive in Liberation Square to be greeted by Captain Brian Nibbs RD*. They enter the former Jersey Tourism building, passing a plaque which records the events of 1945, to fly the Union flag and then the Jersey flag from what 72 years ago was the Harbourmaster’s Office.
Arrival of the Liberating Force
The re-enactors take on the role of Colonel Robinson and Captain Le Brocq and soldiers of the liberating force. The Union Flag is raised from the balcony of the Pomme d'Or Hotel.
A few moments later at Fort Regent the events of 1945 are repeated as a Union flag is raised high above St Helier.
arrival of two naval officers from HMS Beagleth
11.50 The National Anthem: Played by the Band of the Island of Jersey
(all stand)
God save our gracious King, Long Live our noble King, God save our King. Send him victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us, God save The King.
Retiring procession: From the main stage in Liberation Square to the saluting dais in front of the Pomme d’Or Hotel to music performed by the Band of the Island of Jersey.
slave workers memorial service
A wreath laying ceremony will take place at the Crematorium, Westmount, in the presence of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, the Bailiff and Chief Minister.
The ceremony will remember the 101 foreign forced workers of different nationalities and average age of 31 years, who perished in the island during the Nazi occupation. The occasion will pay tribute to those service men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice to free the oppressed The event will also be attended by overseas officials and families of those affected.
Members of the public are warmly invited to attend.
The ceremony starts at 1500hrs.
Image below: A photograph of last year's slave workers memorial service where representatives came together to pay their respects and lay wreaths.Happy Liberation Day
Today's celebrations recall the momentous events which occurred 78 years ago. You are invited to watch the re-enactment and service of thanksgiving from viewpoints around Liberation Square and once they have concluded you will be able to enjoy refreshments, stalls and musical entertainment at Weighbridge Place until 1730hrs. We hope you enjoy your day.
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