War-time story: Gutsy girls rebel against Nazis with secret meetings

Sunday 19 August 2018

Occupation Jersey might have seen all group meetings strictly banned by the Nazis, but one team of gutsy Girl Guides weren't going to let that get in their way.

In a series of illicit meetings, they defied the Nazis in a small, but important act of rebellion that helped bring unity at a divisive time and keep up morale.

Jersey War Tunnels shared the little-known story with Express...

One of the many restrictions imposed by the Germans during the occupation was a ban on all uniformed organisations. Grace Le Roux, captain of the 5th St Mark's Guide Company in St Helier, defied this by holding illicit meetings at her house.

With a German HQ nearby, the girls had to be careful not to draw attention to themselves. They arrived at the house in small groups, some using the front door and some using the back door. As they could not wear uniform, they pinned badges under their coat collars as a subtle display of their allegiance. 

Of course, there were limits to what they could do without risking being discovered by the Germans, but the activities that they did manage to lead gave them hope and helped to keep their spirits up. A Union Jack was hidden under a bed, and they used skills such as handicrafts for fund raising. 

The Girl Guide companies of St Aubin and Gorey ran a similar operation. Jersey War Tunnels say it's "remarkable that the secret was so well kept." Had the meetings been discovered, Miss Le Roux would have faced severe punishment. 

She was recognised for her 'outstanding services' in 1945 when she was awarded a national guiding award, the Gilt Cross, by the Lieutenant Governor. 

Pictured: Grace Le Roux was awarded the Gilt Cross by the Lieutenant Governor for her war-time efforts.

Girl Guides’ archivist, Margaret Hawkins, said: "I’ve always been fascinated by the stories of the Girl Guides during the war. Self-sufficiency and caring for others are part of the whole ethos of guiding and their actions during the war encapsulates this completely. It’s lovely to be able to re-tell these stories and hopefully it will inspire young girls today." 

The story certainly inspired the Wimbledon Girl Guides at the time, who created a special flag to show their admiration for the Jersey Guides who met during the occupation.

1,500 girls each put a single stitch in the flag and brought it to Jersey in 1946. It was used in all ceremonial occasions until 1994, and since then has been kept on display at the Jersey Guide headquarters to preserve it.