The now-retired teacher of 38 years – 35 of which were spent at Victoria College – said he drew inspiration from the book from his students, who would frequently approach him with new documents, correspondence or photographs from the Occupation relating to their own family history.
Pictured: Mr Gilson’s book explores Jersey’s wartime agricultural history, shedding light on the challenges and strategies for survival during the German Occupation.
Having gathered together a number of these fragments of history, Mr Gilson said he soon began to realise that the currently accepted historical picture of agriculture during the Occupation was simply “wrong”.
As such, he set himself the task of writing what he describes as an “in-depth, factual, non-judgemental, all documented” piece of history.
Mr Gilson’s research draws from a wealth of original documents originating in Jersey, including those archived by the Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society, as well as records from the Channel Islands, Germany, France, Austria, and other parts of Europe.
Pictured: An image which will featured in the book, depicting Major Hans Egon Pelz, Head of Agriculture and Food Supplies.
Research and writing has been a lengthy process, with two years dedicated to proof-reading alone. However, ‘The German Occupation of Jersey – Agriculture and Survival in a Time of War’ was finally published on Friday 15 September.
The book details various aspects of Jersey’s wartime history, including allegations of collaboration, accounts of sabotage, the struggle to maintain a supply of full-fat milk German exports of agricultural products, the cultivation of tobacco as a cash crop, and even the Nazi scientists’ efforts to create a “super-breed” of Jersey cattle.
Mr Gilson also explores the record-keeping of farmers who took tremendous risks to hide escaped slave labourers from the German authorities, as well as the flourishing of Jersey’s cattle population during the Occupation, thanks to a culling program implemented by the German forces.
Pictured: Andrew Gilson spent more than 7,500 hours pouring over documents as part of his research for his new book.
Islanders are invited to join Mr Gilson at a book launch and signing event at the Jersey War Tunnels on Saturday 30 September from 13:30 to 16:30.
General Manager of Jersey War Tunnels, Anthony Clarke said: “This new release is a thought-provoking insight into life on the island during the Occupation.
“Food shortages were a very real problem and Mr Gilson’s book really does provide food for thought!”