THE stories of Islanders’ experiences in the world wars are being recorded by a new project ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Liberation.
“Liberation 80: Legacy” aims to celebrate as many individuals and families as possible through a series of interviews and visual media.
The initiative is designed to engage local children whose ancestors fought in or survived either of the wars, in order to educate and continue their legacy. Local historian Ian Ronayne is to conduct interviews with Islanders willing to share their stories, who will then be photographed with a memento or picture of their ancestors. The portraits will be displayed in the Royal Square in the lead-up to 9 May, and could travel to parish halls afterwards, subject to approval.
Former Education Minister Rod Bryans, a leader of the project whose own father and grandfather fought in respective world wars, said that we have a responsibility to “pass the baton on” to the next generation.
“With each successive year, the numbers of those who survived the Occupation and celebrate Liberation Day are dwindling,” he said. “The focus needs to change to maintain the heartfelt level of interest it deserves. We somehow need to pass the baton on.”
Mr Bryans added: “My grandfather fought in the First World War as a member of the Liverpool Scottish at Ypres and although wounded, he survived. In 1939 my dad was aboard HMS Orion, the ship that fired the opening salvo on D-Day. He too survived. Their sacrifice and survival meant I could be born and my children and grandchildren could exist.”
He continued: “The idea is that [the project] would promote discussions within families, between the generations, around the legacy created by family members and invoke stories of the Occupation, bringing Liberation Day back into focus.”
Mr Bryans added that inmates at HMP La Moye would be creating the panels for the public displays, which will be made with materials donated by Romerils.
