The Société Jersiaise is running a free series of public events to share the knowledge of local experts about Jersey’s Occupation – and what came afterwards.
‘Liberation 80 Lunchtime Talks’, is being held in the group’s members’ room at 7 Pier Road, to offer insights into various aspects of the Occupation, the Liberation, and the Post-War period.
The talk series began on 1 May and is running until Wednesday 14 May.
The events form part of the organisation’s Liberation commemorations, which also included a film screening of the documentary ‘Living with the Enemy’, based on the book by Islander Roy McLoughlin about his experience of being occupied by German forces.
Additionally, a dedicated exhibition has been displayed in the group’s members’ room to showcase items from its historic Photographic Archive and Lord Coutanche Library collection.
The exhibition features original telegrams and messages to and from Alexander Coutanche – Jersey’s Bailiff during the Occupation – as well as ration books, diaries, music, a Canadian Red Cross parcel, and banknotes issued during the German Occupation.
Also on display are flags that were presented to James Robert Hanson on Liberation Day—who served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. 15th Cavalry— artwork created using food labels from food parcels from the SS Vega, and a copy of The Evening Post dated Wednesday 9 May 1945.
You can view the Société’s full calendar of events and reserve tickets for each via Eventbrite.
Each talk will be held from 1.10pm to1.50pm and refreshments will be served from 12:45pm.
The DVD of ‘Living with the Enemy’ is also available to purchase at the Société’s bookshop , as well as a range of Occupation and Liberation publications.
