Occupation survivor's memories fuel exhibition celebrating freedom

Saturday 07 May 2022

An 85-year-old who has clear memories of the Union Jack being unfurled from the Pomme d’Or Hotel on the very first Liberation Day is urging all islanders to celebrate Jersey’s national day on Monday.

Trevor Green has a strong commitment to share how precious freedom and peace are, especially as he was denied both in the first few years of his life.

That steadfast belief in those values has led him to curate and host his own exhibition of Jersey’s wartime years at St. Martin's Public Hall. He has also written a book of his vivid memories of the Occupation.

Growing up by Millards Corner at Grève d’Azette, he remembers going into the bunker and garrison house there with his cousins, where the German soldiers would give them sweets and bread.

Pictured: Mr Green sharing his memories with pupils from St. Martin’s Primary School.

“They were very good to us and after Saint Malo was bombed in 1944 and the island’s main supply route was cut off, they suffered as much as we did,” he said.

With this in mind, Mr Green is eternally grateful to the New Zealand and Canadian Red Cross organisations, which supplied the SS Vega, a ship that brought food parcels in the difficult winter of 1944/45.

As well as Liberation Day itself, he also has clear memories of 10 May, when – while standing near the bunker at Millards Corner – two Spitfires flew low over Fort Regent heading east.

Seeing the waving children, the two pilots gave them an aerial salute by dipping their wings in greeting.

Pictured: Mr Green remembers Liberation Day clearly.

Mr Green said: “If we want to celebrate the 77th Liberation Day, we should celebrate it in as many ways as possible, and everyone who lives in the island, regardless of their race, colour or creed, should be involved.

“In Jersey, we enjoy two very important things: freedom and peace, yet unfortunately they are not enjoyed in other parts of the world.

“And that is why Liberation Day is so important to us all, especially at this time.”

Mr Green has also been sharing his stories with children from St. Martin’s Primary School, who have come down to see his exhibition as the Occupation is part of their project work.

Pictured: Mr Green's exhibition includes examples of the type of food islanders ate during the Occupation.

Mr Green’s exhibition has been open this week at St. Martin’s Public Hall and is open today (Saturday 7 May) and Liberation Day itself between 14:00 and 16:00. He’ll be there too to explain the displays and share his own recollections.