Hedley's diary - Christmas

Hedley's Liberation Diary 10 – 31 December 1945 Hedley Clement's post-war diary is a work of fiction, based on reports in the pages of the Evening Post in the days, weeks and months following Jersey's liberation from German Occupation on 9 Mary 1945. Researched by Marion Falle and written by Mike Bisson, this diary will gradually build into the most detailed history ever produced of the time. It will chart the island's return to normality after the dark days of occupation

December 1945

Monday 10th

• I suppose it was inevitable that people who believe that they have lost out financially or physically during the war would seek compensation of some sort. But who is going to decide what they get, and, perhaps more importantly, how can one balance one person's loss against another's? We learn from yesterday's States sitting that there is a UK scheme to compensate those who suffered disability through being imprisoned by the Germans, and the parents of those whose children died. It is suggested that Jersey and Guernsey should get together to join in with this scheme, but strangely Jurat Dorey, who made the annoucement, is suggesting that assessments should be made by an agent of the UK ministry handling the scheme.

There were many UK soldiers, sailors and airmen who suffered and died in prisoner of war camps, but how are they to be compared with Jersey people who, we have been learning in recent weeks, were sent to die in German prisons and concentration camps for trivial offences committed against the occupying forces?

And then there are those who want compensation for damage to or loss of property here during the Occupation. They are being invited to make claims under the Channel Islands Rehabilitation scheme by 21 January next year. Who is going to compare the suffering of an islander in a German prison with the loss of a beach chalet?

The intentions behind the two schemes may be quite honourable, but I foresee problems ahead

• It's only a very small indication of how this Christmas will be different from the last five, but Holy Trinity Church carollers will be touring their parish tomorrow, with proceeds to the Jersey Merchant Seamen’s Benefit Society and the Friendship League.

Wednesday 12th

• Those who led the island's administration during such difficult times deserve everyone's thanks and praise and we learn that their efforts have been rewarded with Honours conferred by His Majesty the King.

Our Bailiff, Mr Coutanche, becomes Sir Alexander. Without wishing to detract in any way from his role during the Occupation, it is worth pointing out that, had the arrival of the Huns not intervened, he would probably have received the Honour some time ago as a matter of course, as did most of his predecessors, save for Charles Malet de Carteret, who did not hold the title for long enough before illness forced him to retire. Surely there could have been some other way of recognising Sir Alexander's role than conferring on him what might be viewed as a routine Bailiff's Knighthood.

Perhaps its importance is increased by the simultaneous announcement that his right-hand man, Attorney-General Charles Walter Duret Aubin has been made a CBE, together with Jurat Edgar Dorey, who led the politicians on the Supreme Council. OBEs have been awarded to another Supreme Council stalwart Jurat Touzel Bree, St Helier Constable Charles Cuming and Medical Officer of Health Noel McKinstry. I don't think the latter's role in the struggle to maintain the health of all of us has yet been fully recognised. It surely will be now.

Other honours announced from Buckingham Palace are MBEs for Katherine Joanna Bond, of the Queen’s Institute of District Nursing, and Herbert Ereaut, Treasurer of the States; and BEMs for Wilfred John Bertram, who helped so many young islanders escape in the closing months of the Occupation; postman Thomas Camp, of Gorey; Police Sergeant Thomas Cross; Jessie Fraser, manager of St Helier's communal restaurant, Marthe Messervy, Superintendent of St John Nursing; and Fire Brigade chief officer Joseph Remphrey.

Congratulations to them all, but hopefully these will not be the last Honours to be announced in the wake of the Occupation. I am sure we all know of others who are equally deserving.

• There has been talk of little else other than the elections in the past few weeks. Yesterday's poll involved contested elections in six of the country parishes and the three town districts, and for the first time in our lifetimes it was all about party politics. Or was It? Certainly candidates stood for election under the banners of the Jersey Progressive Party and the Jersey Democratic Movement, but it really came down to a choice between the establishment and the JDM's would-be newcomers.

We did not get a vote in our parish, with only a single candidate proposed, but I think I might have been very tempted to vote JDM, given the choice. There is a need for change, but perhaps the election has come too soon to allow for proper reflection on how the island is to be run as it recovers from the most traumatic interval in its long history.

Be that as it may, the Progressives trounced the Democrats when the votes were counted and only a single JDM candidate, Stephen Venables, was elected, despite the party making a strong showing in St Helier and St Saviour, while losing decisively in the country parishes.

Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose might be the best way to sum up election day.

• The date is no secret, but I think the imminent arrival of Christmas seems to be taking some people by surprise. It has only just been announced that a Christmas card which carries the CI crest, together with greetings from the four islands and a couple of verses which carry the sentiments of all Channel Islanders, has been issued by the C I War Relief Association. The cards, which are to be sold at 4d each, may be obtained from the following addresses: G Smith, Manor Park Estate, Almorah; Regneville, Dunell Road; The Lodge, Bagot; 3 St Luke’s Crescent; Le Sueur’s Radio Service, Don Street; or at the offices of the C I War Relief Association in West’s Arcade. Very laudable, but perhaps a little late. I suspect that many who might wish to exchange Christmas greetings in this way just cannot afford 4d a card, with postage on top.

Thursday 13th

• Which brings me to the whole subject of the cost of celebrating Christmas. The Pomme d'Or, now that it has lost its German Navy residents, is promoting a four-day Christmas celebration. It starts on Christmas Eve with an informal dance, midnight cabaret and supper; followed by breakfast, organised games, musical hour, lunch, the dansant, cocktail party, gala dinner and dance, cabaret and supper on Christmas Day and … I can't go on, because the charge for the whole bonanza, which ends with a farewell lunch on the day after Boxing Day, is 6 guineas. That's probably about double the weekly wage of the ordinary working man, who clearly won't be there with his missus. Nor will I. I just wonder who can afford such extravagance and how it can be justified in the present circumstances. This is not 1938, we approach 1946, and we have been at war for five years in between.

• I would normally have little time for ex-convicts, but those who met at the Lyric Hall on Saturday evening are a little bit different from the norm. The hall was well filled with those Islanders who suffered imprisonment for various political offences against the Nazis (that's a word which has not been used much so far, but I think is destined to become very common) during the five years of Occupation. We know several people who ended up in Newgate Street for no just reason and Doris and I went along to hear what is planned.

George Bailey, who convened the meeting, explained the reason for calling it. It was not really about those who spent time in our prison, but the many of their former comrades who were carried off to prisons in France and Germany, from which 20 of them, it is now known, would never return. Many of their dependants of whom George knew were in real want. It had been on his mind for a long time that these dependants should receive special help.

The Rev Mr Mylne then took the chair to loud acclaim. He immediately thanked Mr Bailey for having convened the meeting as he was in full sympathy with the object in view. He said that it was difficult to realise that such nice people were ex gaol-birds.

Deputy Ed Le Quesne addressed the meeting and proposed that a memorial be placed at some suitable spot in the Island in memory of those who had not returned. The names of those who died while undergoing imprisonment by the Germans were read out and the secretary was able to give an account of some of the hardships which were already being experienced by some of the dependants. Immediate relief was necessary in some cases. It was agreed that a private fund be started in order to help the dependants of comrades and so enable them to purchase the few extras that were being given for the Christmas festivities. We have been happy to make our own modest contribution to that fund.

• No doubt many of us will be glued to the radio on Christmas Day with the first opportunity to hear the King speak after so long. We have been invited next door, because like so many others, we are yet to be reunited with our wireless which we had to give up in 1941, and we certainly can't afford a new one. Apparently there will be a programme before the King's Speech featuring speakers from all over the world. They will include a Jerseyman who will speak live from Castle Cornet in Guernsey. Why there? Simply because they are a bit closer to the mainland than we are and the BBC are not yet able to broadcast again from our island. This will not be the only Channel Island broadcast over the festive season. We will be able to hear carols from St Peter Port Town Church on the morning of Christmas Eve, followed by a Christmas Day service from the same church. Harold Stephens, of Toc H in Jersey, will read one of the lessons. The identity of the Jerseyman who will speak on Christmas Day was not at first revealed, but we learn that he is Harold Le Druillenec, the Jersey schoolteacher who suffered in the prison camps of Germany and whose timely rescue from the horror camp of Belsen is still fresh in our minds. He will give the final greeting immediately before His Majesty speaks at 2 o’clock.

The Brittany on war service with the Royal Navy

• The Brittany is back! We have had many happy daytrips to St Malo on the ship, and we learn that she has travelled the globe during the conflict. Now she is back, not on the French service yet, but operating to the mainland, once again under the command of Captain Trout. After being taken over by the Navy several years back, she has apparently visited Capetown, Mombasa, Seychelles, Addis Atoll, Colombo, Bombay, Aden, Suez, Port Said, Malta and Haifa. Imaging Captain Trout's surprise while on Navy duty in India when his ship called at Bombay. There before his eyes was his old friend Brittany.

He has since discovered that his ship played her part in the Mediterranean landings, including Sardinia, and the invasion of France, before returning to Scotland. During her travels she earned the unique distinction for a Southern Railway vessel of qualifying for a Suez Canal certificate.

We can't wait to board again for the more mundane passage to France, but from what we hear of the damage wrought on the lovely town of St Malo, it may be some time before a visit there is possible.

• Congratulations to my old mate Charles Vilton, who has completed 50 years working for Beghin's, most recently as manager of their Halkett Place branch. A pleasing little ceremony was enacted at the King Street shop, last evening, when the staff from Halkett Place joined their confrères to witness the presentation of a gold half-hunter watch and cheque, made on behalf of the directors of the company by Mr Louis Beghin (Guernsey) to Charles. Mr Beghin recalled that his sister (Mrs Jackson), Charles, and the late Miss de Gruchy, opened the Halkett Place branch just fifty years ago. The watch (pre-war) was supplied by Maine's, of King Street, and inscribed ‘Presented to Charles Vilton, by Beghin’s Boot Stores, in recognition of 50 years’ faithful service, 1895-1945.’

• And talking of Beghin's, they must be doing a roaring trade in shoes in the run-up to Christmas. We thought we would buy a pair each for my brother Jack, and Vera's boys. We can't really afford it, but they have been so good to us in the past five years with gifts of veg and soft fruit grown in their garden that it is the least we can do. We want it to be a surprise, but what size do we buy? Fortunately we see from their advert that Beghin's are offering a free exchange service up to the end of the year. If our presents don't fit, the boys just have to go and stick their feet in that X-ray thingy in the shop to find out exactly what length and width they need.

So off we went to town to see what is on offer, only to find that we couldn't park anywhere near King Street. The unilateral parking spaces in the town are supposed to be for people shopping, and not for those whose business premises are in the town and who leave their cars in these parks all day. How do they expect to get any customers if they fill up the temporary parking spaces to the detriment of bona fide shoppers?

Friday 14th

Back to its pre-war best, but who can afford six guineas to stay where the German Navy boarded for nothing?

• Will they be celebrating at the Pomme d'Or? All States employees, clerical and non-clerical, are to be given an extra day off for the Christmas holiday, so that they will not have to work on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and the Thursday following. It is being suggested that all employers follow this example. That would be fine for the workers, but it all sounds like another last-minute brainwave on somebody's part. How are employers to organise their activities if all their staff are going to have an extra day's holiday in less than two weeks?

• I've had a letter from the girl De La Haye in West Ewell, Surry – now Mrs Stratton – who is anxious to trace her three brothers and sister who she knows were in Jersey before the Occupation. They are: David, Gerald and, Andrew De La Haye, and Mrs C Cann. I must confess that although I knew Mrs Stratton well before she moved to the mainland, I don't know her siblings. If they evacuated before the Jerries arrived it's surprising that they have not been in touch with their sister. Perhaps they all joined the forces. I'll have to ask the EP if they can put in a notice.

• What are we going to grow in our small veg patch next year? For so long it's had to be anything we could get hold of some seed for. We have been offered some Jersey Royals by a friend down the road but we have discovered that we are going to need a licence from the Department of Agriculture. It's all to do with a fear of Colorado beetles. We have to get a form from the department and return it by 31 December. It's said that licences will be issued for growing spuds on patches less than 20 perches – our garden fits – but generally only on land which was planted with potatoes this year. I think we might just go ahead and plant them. Nobody can see our small patch from the road.

Perhaps we will try tobacco again. Doris and I don't use the weed ourselves, and we hope that young Helier and Lizzie are resisting the temptation, but there may be a bob or two to be made, either by selling the leaves to the Jersey Tobacco Company or taking up their offer of a cutting and manufacturing charge of two shillings a pound, so that we will have our own cigarettes to sell on to friends and neighbours at a healthy profit.

• On Monday oranges are to go on sale until Boxing Day rationed to 1 ¼ lb per head for holders of all ration books for one shilling. Don't ask me why, but because the ration books don't allow for oranges, the purchase will be noted in the soap section on the back page by a licensed retailer. Perhaps it's worth waitig until after the 26th when any remaining in stock will be sold without restriction. Or, better still, Doris's sister might put some under the counter in the village shop if we ask her nicely. When are all these restrictions going to end, so that we can get back to a normal life? In many ways its seems that not much has changed since 9 May.

Saturday 15th

• Imagine Doris's surprise when her cousin Alec Joyce, who was in the Paid Police Force before the war, turned up on the doorstep this morning. He joined up not long after the declaration of war and has seen service in North Africa and Italy with the famous 8th Army. He's back on leave and expects to be demobbed in January and then resume his services with the local police.

• Uncle Maurice Pitcher (I don't know why we call him uncle, because he's not even a relative, but he's always been uncle) has had his car stolen. He left his Standard outside the New Star Hotel at St Peter and when he came out it had gone. It was found this morning in a field near La Robeline, St Ouen. An attempt had apparently been made to push it over the cliff. This failed, so an attempt was then made to burn it by setting fire to the gorse around it. This also failed, but certainly did not improve the car. Apparently it is a way they have in the country, for this is the second time a car has disappeared and later found damaged, but the last was found at the bottom of a cliff.

The La Moye hotel

• Golf is not something I have ever enjoyed – it spoils a good walk - but there are many who will be delighted to know that La Moye links are open again. On Thursday afternoon the Lieut-governor, Sir Edward Grasett, reopened the course which, throughout the Occupation, had been heavily wired and fortified. For many of the members it was a welcome reunion to meet again after such a long interval, and everybody expressed satisfaction at the manner in which the officials of the club – with the co-operation of the military authorities - had worked in the efforts to clear the course.

Although it was cold and dull, a fine crowd followed the Governor to the first tee to watch him reopen the course. This he did with a first-rate iron shot which was loudly applauded. Mr Ernest Huelin, the newly-elected Deputy for St Brelade and vice-captain of the club, had been selected as an opponent to His Excellency and he too got off with a fine drive. Fifteen holes were played and the match ended all-square. The fine old clubhouse is in ruins but there is a new one now officially open in a wing of the La Moye Golf Club Hotel.

Tuesday 18th

• There is little likelihood of it being necessary to arrange any Christmas festivities for the returned evacuees housed at the Chelsea Hotel, for the Rehabilitation Committee hope to have the last few ‘Chelsea residents’ into homes of their own by this Saturday. During the last weeks the numbers at Chelsea have been steadily whittled down, chiefly through the hard work and good offices of the committee concerned and the Housing Officer. The large number that had come into the Island without anywhere to go and were at Chelsea has now come down from hundreds to mere teens, and it is hoped these few will also be holding their first Christmas in Jersey for six years under their own roof.

• A sure sign that things are returning to normal was the resumption, after a lapse of nearly six years, of the sitting of the Licensing Bench, known officially as the Assembly of Governor, Bailiff and Jurats. One of the effects of the German Occupation was the virtual suspension of the Licensing Law, and now that the British regime has been restored, the old administration has come into its own once again. Meetings have been held in the different parishes and the majority of the applicants have been recommended.

Thursday 20th

• We won't be having a turkey this Christmas. We have actually always preferred a gammon joint but it did cross our minds to celebrate with the traditional bird. That was until we discovered what a palaver it was going to be to get one. You have to have a special permit (yes, another permit!) and only 592 birds were allocated to butchers at the abattoir. The allocation was under the supervision of Messrs Kent, Jocelyn and Blake for the Butchers Federation and Dupre and Savage (Orviss Ltd) for the Poulterers Association. ‘Everything was fair and above board,’ an EP reporter who watched the proceedings writes, ‘and I saw no wangling’. The allocation for the second lot of birds for which application was made a day or two ago will take place on Saturday.

• We went to a party next door yesterday and were at first delighted to see that Bert and Irene had some crackers for the children to pull. Delight turned to dismay when we realised what a rip-off the crackers were. Irene paid four shillings for half a dozen crackers, which turned out to be the puniest things without any bang, any mottoes, any paper hats and the value of the whole of the articles in the six crackers was not more than fourpence. A tiny lead soldier in one, an inch and a half leaden fire shovel in another, a similar toy in a third, one crayon in the fourth, a lead poker not much more than an inch long in the fifth and a 1d Tiny Comic in the last. I don’t know whether it’s possible for the authorities to take action, but we certainly won't be buying any Christmas crackers unless we feel sure that we are going to get value for what we are being asked to pay.

But what chance is there? We read in tonight's paper that Beuzeval, who are selling the four shilling packets, think they are doing nothing wrong. In a letter to the editor the shop's owners say that they are making a smaller profit on them than they would have made on a 4s box of English crackers in 1939. They claim that everyone who has bought them has been warned that these ‘crackers’ are locally made and contain no ‘banger’ and only a small toy inside. They add the the woman who makes them has to pay two shillings a roll for the crepe paper at a local shop. This paper was sold at 3d a roll in 1939. Is this what we have to look forward to in future? It's beginning to sound as if everything is a rip-off.

Friday 21st

• It seems that it's down to the States to organise compensation for war damage. In the House of Commons yesterday afternoon the Home Secretary was asked whether residents in the Channel Islands were covered by War Damage Insurance, and whether, in view of the fact that their rehabilitation and reconstruction must await the findings of the Reparations commission, HM Government was making any financial advances to individuals whose homes have been destroyed, so they can rebuild without delay? The response was that a scheme for the repair and restoration of property, lost or damaged during the Occupation, is a matter for the States. Machinery for the investigation of the loss or damage is now being set up and payments to individuals will be a matter for the States.

• We are planning to invite a couple of Tommies to spend Boxing Day with us. Following the publication of a letter in the EP suggesting that islanders welcome otherwise lonely soldiers to spend Christmas Day in their homes, there has been a magnificent response. We won't be at home on Christmas Day but have let it be known that a couple of the boys would be very welcome the day after. We are waiting to hear who will be coming.

When we contacted the Army Welfare Officer he informed us that the response to the idea has been marvellous, that invitations for lonely soldiers had simply ‘rolled in’. The invitations have now been passed on to the various units in which arrangements will be made for their acceptance. Many of the invitations are for a couple of young soldiers, some for parties of three and, of course, very many for a single lonely lad.

• It's not that long ago that we had to kill our pigeons. A diary entry in the paper recalls that it is five years to the day that the Germans issued an order banning the keeping of carrier pigeons.

Saturday 22nd

• Lizzie's old school friend Margaret Lawford and her parents are back for Christmas, after spending the last few years in Barnsley, Yorkshire, and their return journey made headlines on the front page of the News Chronicle. Headed ‘Barnsley to Jersey’, a picture appears on the front page of today’s edition, showing a scene on Waterloo Station, where a man, wife and daughter are sitting on their luggage waiting for the boat-train. The caption underneath the picture states: ‘Here is the Christmas travel spirit. The family seated on Waterloo Station platform last night began their travels at 3 o’clock yesterday morning when they left Barnsley, Yorkshire. Now they are waiting for the 6.40 train to Southampton en route to Jersey. Mr and Mrs Lawford and daughter Margaret will be spending their first Christmas since 1940 with relatives at their old home. Lizzie learnt later that the Lawsons are back safely, but they are having to stay with relatives because, as so many returning evacuees have discovered, their home is in no fit state to accommodate them. Doubtless they and their hosts will have a happy time and many a story to tell of what has happened since they last met.

• After a break of five years the sporting public will be able to enjoy a good day’s racing on New Year’s Day when the first post-war point-to-point will be held at Plemont. There are 75 entries, probably the largest on record. Where on earth have all those horses come from? The first race is timed for 12 o’clock and the Governor Sir Edward Grasett is going to act as judge. There will be six races, including a ladies’ race, two farmers’ races, light and heavy hunt races and a consolation race. In the evening a Hunt Ball is being held at the Stadium where tables may be booked.

Monday 24th

• The traditional Lieut-Governor's Christmas Message was published in the paper once more today, and I must say that I agree with him when he says that 'much remains to be done' The full text of General Grasett's message was:"The war is over, and this year the people of Jersey will have their first free Christmas in five years, and many families will be together after years of separation. I offer everyone my best wishes for Christmas and the real happiness that they so greatly deserve. An excellent start has been made to repair the ravages of the Occupation, and to revive normal conditions of the life of the Island. Much remains to be done, but I feel confident that the energy and spirit which has been displayed since Liberation will be maintained and hope that you all will have a very happy, useful and successful year in 1946."

The Grouville home for girls

Thursday 27th

• An accident which might very easily have had fatal consequences occurred at the Jersey Home for Girls on Christmas Day and rather marred the celebrations. ‘Father Christmas’, while distributing the presents from the children’s Christmas tree, was unfortunate to set his whiskers alight as he leaned over one of the candles on the tree. Then, in an attempt to extinguish the flames, the inflammable material on his robes also caught alight. Fortunately the flames were quickly smothered but not before ‘Father Christmas’ had sustained burns for which he had to be taken to the General Hospital for treatment. There was never the slightest danger to any of the girls or staff and no damage was caused.

• Under the heading 'It's all fine for those who can afford it' comes the news that the first Channel Islands Airways aircraft to land in France since 1940 flew to Cherbourg and back this morning. The aircraft, which was piloted by Capt E W Jordan, was chartered by M R Deflin, Consul de France in Jersey, to bring his wife and family to the Island. The machine left here at 8 am with M Deflin and landed at Quequeville, an airstrip west of Cherbourg, where Mme Deflin, her son and two daughters and baby were awaiting it. The aircraft was back in Jersey again at 9.15. One can only imagine what that cost. The latest advert for CI Airways' flights to the mainland shows that a return ticket costs 140 shillings. That's £7 – a small fortune for the working man, but apparently not for the Consul de France.

• Helier has always been interested in motor racing, so off he went to the Five Mile Road yesterday, thinking that there would not be much of a crowd for the revival of the Car Club's traditional Boxing Day sprint. He was amazed, despite the dismal weather, to find what was estimated as a crowd of 2,500 enthusiasts. They had journeyed out to watch two and a quarter hours of sprint events for motor cars and motor cycles. Many of these must have been kept well hidden throughout the Occupation because there has been little opportunity to bring in new vehicles in the weeks since the Liberation.

Allowing for the state of the road, with a surface made slippery by continual rain, times were very good, especially when it is remembered that the machines were standard, not racing models and, in most cases at least six or seven years old. John Benett and Frank Le Gallais took it in turns to drive the big Bentley, Lieut Benett getting just a little extra from her to win the cup by covering the distance in just over nine seconds at a speed of 91.83 mph as against Frank's 10 seconds and 90 mph. Helier says that he wants to have a go next time. The only problems are that he does not have a driving licence, much less a car or bike to enter.

• I walked up to St John with Lizzie and the dog the other day. Helier's far to lazy to have joined us and Doris was suffering from her arthritis. We went to see the Jersey Marine Drive, the posh name for what islanders are calling the New North Road. The views across the north coast to Guernsey and Sark, and Alderney on a fine day, are magnificent. There was apparently little chance of seeing anything when the road was officially opened in appalling weather today by the Bailiff. He unveiled a granite stone inscribed: ‘This road is dedicated to all the men and women of Jersey who suffered during the Great War – 1939-45.’

The road was the idea of Deputy Ed Le Quesne, not because it was considered an essential new route across the top of the island, but because it provided essential work for hundreds of men who would otherwise have been out of work, and liable to be called on by the enemy to do work which would be distasteful to them as loyal citizens, and that, if they declined, they would probably be sent to do slave labour either in France or Germany.

And hard work is was because with very limited assistance from heavy machinery, 16,000 tons of earth had to be removed and a considerable section of rock has had to be cut away. Another feather in the often controversial Deputy's cap.

• Helier and Lizzie went to the Stadium on Boxing Day, when for the second day running there was a crowd of 700. But all went well; thanks to the very spacious dance floor and the fact that numbers were controlled by management, a fair dancing space was available for all. The Christmas decorations made a bright picture and the kids told us that everyone present enjoyed themselves to the music of Les and Ted Watson and the Watsonians, glowing under their new V sign. The new bandstand provided a gay splash of colour in a ballroom which is ‘getting better all the time’ in the way of interior decorations, whilst the floor was, as usual, in excellent condition. The management are entitled to congratulations for their excellent organisation of the first real Christmas programme for seven years.

Friday 28th

• A couple of months ago an American visitor to the Island expressed the wish to a relative of his to place wreaths on the American graves in the War Cemetery in the Howard Davis Park. It was pointed out to him that flowers were scarce at that time, but the promise was given that a holly wreath would be placed on each American grave at Christmas. Those who have visited the cemetery recently will have noticed that the promise has been kept.

Saturday 29th

• The bravery of John de la Haye, the young St Brelade’s man who, at the risk to his own life from sea, cold and the enemy, saved the life of a United States Air Force pilot, who was shot down in St Brelade’s Bay on the evening of 7 January last year, and would otherwise have ended up in the War Cemetery, has been somewhat belatedly recognised by the award of the Jersey Humane Society's Silver Medal.

The presentation was made at the Town Hall yesterday afternoon by the Governor, who remarked: ‘This is another instance of the spirit of Jersey during the Occupation. I have presented many medals in my time, but I do not remember one which has given me a greater sense of privilege to present. This comes to you with the good wishes of all the Island, and there is nothing better for a young man starting a seafaring career than to wear this medal on his right breast.’

Those present heard that the young man heard the aircraft in trouble and went down to the beach as fast as he could. Surrounded by laughing Germans, several of whom had light machine guns, he went into the sea to the rescue of a man 6ft 2in in height and weighing 200 lb, got him on to a rock, although the man he was rescuing was wounded, and thereby saved his life. This was witnessed by Deputy Ed Le Quesne (yes, him again) from his window through field glasses.

‘I am, and always have been, a strong swimmer,’ said Mr Le Quesne, ‘but I would have hesitated to go out in that sea under those conditions for the weather was very cold and the sea rough. We felt that we should show some appreciation other than the official award for this gallant action so a few of us in the district subscribed for a gold watch, which I will ask the Bailiff to present to him. We are proud to think that he is a Jerseyman.’

• The two tommies who came to lunch on Boxing Day have seen much to marvel at during their time here but not all good. They told us that on Christmas Eve they bought a packet of cigarettes at a hairdressing establishment near Seaton Place. On examining the packet they noticed printed on the cover, the words: ‘These cigarettes are the gift of the Red Cross.’ Clearly someone has been abusing the kindness of heart of the donors of the cigarettes, which were never intended to be sold or exchanged for profit. Such trading can only be described as despicable.