Bailiwick Express Appeal for Liberators

Friday 15 July 2016

Author and historian Mark Lamerton is hoping an appeal for Liberators will re-write the history books.

Mr Lamerton, along with the Bailiwick Express, are appealing for any relatives or friends of Liberators to come forward now, following the death of Eric Walker a fortnight ago at the age of 93.

Mr Walker was possibly the last surviving member of Force 135, the unit of soldiers who liberated Jersey in May 1945. He later made Jersey his home and for 35 years was the Island’s bomb disposal officer.

But Mr Lamerton, whose book “Liberated by Force 135,” is considered the definitive work on the subject, says he is not sure if Mr Walker was – without doubt - the last of the few.

“It is very possible that there is another Liberator or two out there, but we just don’t know,” said Mr Lamerton. “That is the big question. I’d say it may be Eric, he may be the last one, but I cannot be certain. Eric was 93 and I would think all the Liberators would have to be in their 90s, which means it is entirely possible there are another one or two still out there that we do not know about. It would be marvelous if we could find another.

“Eric was a very well-known Liberator and yet others might not have been as happy to talk about their wartime experiences. Obviously some people are more private than others, but if friends or relatives are aware of anyone who helped liberate Jersey and the Channel Islands that would be excellent. The Liberators deserve recognition for their bravery in 1945 and the sacrifices so many of them made.”

Mr Lamerton said a Liberators’ reunion in 2005 was very well attended at a St Helier hotel, when the former comrades in arms filled a function room.

He said: “There were plenty of Liberators still alive 11 years ago and I would be surprised if there isn’t one somewhere, bearing in mind how many attended that reunion.

“This is really history passing us by and to find another Liberator would be a fascinating story. I really hope it is successful.” 

Anyone who can help track down another Liberator should contact Express on editor@bailiwickexpress.com.