- Liberation 70 celebrations launched with raising of flag
- Pensioner who owns rare vintage car to lead special cavalcade
- Do you own a car that was in Jersey during the Occupation? Let us know below
- See what visitors to the Jersey War Tunnels think of the celebrations
A PENSIONER who owns a rare vintage car that was in Jersey during the Occupation has said it will be ‘special’ to lead this year’s Liberation Day cavalcade.
Retired engineer William Parker, known as Brian, believes he is one of only five people in the world who own a 1924 Austin Harley All-Weather, which he will be proudly driving through St Helier on 9 May.
The car will be among 150 vehicles taking part in the traditional parade.
The St Saviour resident’s motor is one of only five that are known to have been in the Island during the war, and they will all take part in the parade.
They will be joined by up to 60 other vintage cars and 90 military vehicles.
The parade will start in Church Street at 1.45 pm before passing the Pomme d’Or Hotel and finishing at the People’s Park.
Stephanie Constantine, president of the Jersey Old Motor Club, said that the parade was going to be an impressive sight and she urged Islanders with cars that were in Jersey during the Occupation to get in touch.
Mr Parker, who has spent years trying to uncover the history of his car, bought the vehicle in 1967, when it was ‘in a terrible state and had chickens living inside it’ in a shed at Fauvic Common in Grouville.
But after a renovation that lasted two years, the Occupation relic was restored to its former glory.
‘I bought it in 1967. It was in this old shed and it had 9,000 miles on the clock,’ said Mr Parker who was born in London and moved to Jersey in 1964.
‘I have been driving it round since the 70s and it has done 28,000 miles now.
‘I have done a bit of tracing, and it looks like there are only five in the world, including mine – there are two in New Zealand, one in England and one in Gibraltar.’
Mr Parker, who worked as an engineer at Ronez for more than 40 years, added: ‘The car belonged to a man called Frank Mercier. I’ve looked in the archives and he was here during the war.
‘He was born in 1896 and he had the car registered in 1932.
‘I am trying to find out what garage imported the car into Jersey, but there are no records.
‘I have managed to track down Frank Mercier’s son, who told me it was in the shed because his father crashed it into a milk truck.’
The former engineer added: ‘It is exciting to take part in the parade. I have done it for quite a few years, but it will be extra special this year.’
To contact the Jersey Old Motor Club, call Stephanie Constantine on 743239.
VISITORS to the Jersey War Tunnels this week gave their thoughts about the museum, the German Occupation and Liberation Day celebrations in the Islands.
David Porter (55), haulage contractor from Batley, Yorkshire
‘I have been to the War Tunnels twice before, but this time I have found it easier to understand and follow than on my past visits.
‘It is important to mark Liberation Day, as nobody should forget about what happened.
‘It was such a difficult time for Jersey people when they were occupied, but it was a bit of a holiday camp for the Germans, who fortified the place for no reason.’
Paul Baldwin (55), mechanic from Leeds
‘I have also seen the bunkers and find it hard to understand why the Germans came, but the War Tunnels explain a lot more about it.
‘I couldn’t get my head round the English doing nothing about the Germans coming here.
‘I think they should have been there to defend Jersey.
‘The Occupation shouldn’t have happened.’
Bob Piggins (67), retired chauffeur on holiday with his wife Pauline (66)
‘This is our first visit to Jersey and the War Tunnels are very good.
‘It is very important to mark Liberation Day.
‘It is good that people remember the Occupation and all the people who died in the war and the people in the Island who suffered.
‘I don’t think the English could really defend Jersey very well because it is so close to France.’
Sylvia Sharp (70), retired retail worker on holiday with daughter Jane Nicholls (38)
‘The Tunnels are informative and interactive and it takes longer to go round than you would think. We have to remember these things, and the generations who come after us should know the horrors which went on during the war. At home we celebrate different parts of the war, but you have to visit Jersey to appreciate Occupation.
Largest flag signals start of Liberation 70
ONE of the biggest flags ever flown in Jersey was unfurled this morning at the Signal Station at Fort Regent by the Bailiff, William Bailhache.
The raising of the flag, which was watched by the Lieutenant-Governor, General Sir John McColl, signalled the beginning of the Island’s celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the Liberation, which culminate next weekend.
The flying of such a large flag has been made possible by the rebuilding of the Signal Station.
Normally flags flown from official buildings are two or three yards in width but the one hoisted this morning is five yards wide.
It will fly day and night from the mast, which is floodlit.
Jersey’s historic Signal Station dates back more than 300 years.
Today, the station is ‘dressed overall’ with flags on special days and anniversaries, cones are flown for strong winds and a flag is hoisted to mark big spring tides.
