Select a region
A local historian has urged islanders to acknowledge and respect Jersey’s history, “good or bad”, after a former swastika symbol dating back to the Occupation was removed from the front of a town property.
The home in Halkett Place is one of scores of properties in St Helier which were left with the Nazi mark after a curious set of events that unfolded in February 1945.
After a pair of youths painted the symbol on the home of a Kriegsmarine Officer’s girlfriend, officers retaliated by ordering two units of men to paint swastikas on houses and buildings in the town area – they did so using flamethrower fuel, which dried as tough as enamel.
Removal of the markings was immediately ordered as the act of vandalism was deemed to have left “the prestige and good discipline of the German armed forces seriously compromised”.
However, removal attempts worsened the appearance of the defacements, which led some locals to turn them into crosses signifying British decorations for valour and merit – many of which can still be spotted today.
Pictured: Transformed Nazi symbols appear on both sides of this door by Robin Hood. (Photo: Colin Isherwood/CIOS)
Some have been removed over time – the latest of which in Halkett Place during a render repair, which was spotted by an eagle-eyed islander who shared the history on Facebook.
Historian Colin Isherwood, who shared the story with Express back in 2017, said he could understand why people might want to remove the symbols, but felt they should pause before doing so.
“I feel anything historical relating to Jersey needs careful consideration before repairs or restoration are conducted, and that includes Occupation structures and, in this case, inscriptions,” he said.
Pictured: A post on Facebook about the removal.
“I can appreciate not everyone would want a reminder of the Occupation on the front of their house, especially not in this instance a swastika, however these remnants form part of a wider picture and therefore tell a story of events 80 years ago.”
He added: “To lose them, in my opinion is losing part of Jersey’s history, good or bad.”
Swastikas still present in St Helier
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.