Around 120 people attended the free event hosted by the parish.
Among them was Victor Webb (92), who was imprisoned multiple times throughout the Occupation for sabotage.
He was released from prison on Liberation Day 1945 aged 19. ‘It is difficult to remember everything about the [Liberation] day,’ he said, ‘but I had been in prison for sabotage for eight months leading up to Liberation Day, so I think I would have definitely gone for a drink somewhere.’
Bob Le Sueur (98), whose efforts to hide Russian slave workers in Jersey during the Occupation were recognised with an MBE in 2013, said that Liberation Day gave Islanders a huge release after years of living under German rule. ‘Back then, we were bottling up so many feelings, thoughts and emotions, not for days or weeks but for five years,’ he explained.
With him was former Jurat Sally Le Brocq (80) – the daughter of former Bailiff Cecil Stanley Harrison, who served as Solicitor General under the Bailiff, Alexander Coutanche, during the Occupation – who recounted seeing an orange for the first time as a child on Liberation Day and having no idea what it was.
She said: ‘As a child, we didn’t fully understand what was happening, but I remember British soldiers throwing so many sweets out to the children in the crowds.’
Fellow Islander John Heys (80) spoke about how his father, Ted Heys, managed to save him and his family from being deported to Germany by offering his services as a taxi driver to the German Commandant and his men.
Mr Heys said: ‘We were all packed and ready to go. I can remember sitting on the steps of our house with our bags when my father asked to speak to the Commandant and managed to save us from being deported.’
St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft, who oversaw proceedings, added: ‘Liberation Day has become such a joyous day for everyone and has become Jersey’s national day.
‘For me the sense of celebration gets stronger year on year and it is such a pleasure to get to hear everyone’s stories, as it makes the day really come alive.’
Supermarket Waitrose supplied free food and drinks for the Liberation breakfast.
