The 80th anniversary of Homecoming Day will be marked with the creation of a new woodland and other community events.
Her Royal Highness, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh will be in the island for the occasion – marking eight decades since the end of Alderney’s occupation and the evacuation of its entire community.
Homecoming Day – on 15 December 1945 – saw the first evacuees returning following the end of the Second World War.
The first group included around 100 people, including children.
They’d had to wait several months after VE Day so they could return, as the initial shock of what had happened in Alderney was addressed.
Some German soldiers – held in the island as prisoners of war – helped others from the British military and Guernsey’s civilian population to clear Alderney of the labour camps that had been built there, as well as military equipment, thousands of landmines, and other dangers.
When the first evacuees returned to Alderney, they were welcomed by the newly appointed Lieutenant Governor and a British Guard of Honour (pictured top).
Among the first sights to greet the returning evacuees were badly damaged properties at Braye Harbour.
They also found the island had been stripped of trees and anything else that could have been used as fuel.
Homecoming Day is a Public Holiday in Alderney and the 80th anniversary will feature some of the traditional events that have been held over the past eight decades including a church service, a wreath laying to honour those who died and suffered in Alderney during the Occupation, and a Vin d’Honneur.
This year’s events will include the creation of a Homecoming Woodland on Saturday 13 December.
People are invited to “plant a tree to create a living tribute to the resilient Homecomers whose return shaped the island we cherish today”.
Two days later, The Duchess will visit Alderney on Homecoming Day itself, Monday 15 December.
Her Royal Highness will attend events to commemorate and celebrate the 80th anniversary of Homecoming Day.
The Lieutenant-Governor of Guernsey, Lieutenant General Sir Richard Cripwell, will be in the island for the occasion too.
“I am delighted that Her Royal Highness will visit Alderney for what will be a significant anniversary for the Bailiwick. Homecoming is always a very special occasion, marking a unique event, and I am sure The Duchess will enjoy meeting with Homecomers, hearing their stories and sharing in Alderney’s special day.”
Further details of the visit, including when and where to see The Duchess, will be published soon.