Occupation Memories

By Therese Tabb, reviewed by Cathy Le Feuvre

In the 76 years since the Liberation of Jersey much has been written about that day and the five long hard years of Occupation that preceded it. Capturing the memories of those who lived through the period has always been important, but surprisingly there are still those who have never publicly shared their stories.

Therese Tabb, who was born in December 1941 and who has always treasured her own family memories of Occupation and Liberation, set out to capture some of those ‘Occupation Memories’ from Islanders who were children at the time. The result is an engaging collection of 74 personal testimonies which is not just a great read but should also prove to be an important historic document, forever reminding us of the human experiences behind those ‘official’ histories.

Resisting the urge to excessively edit or even put the stories into chronological order, Therese has perfectly captured the voice of the Occupation generation. Childhood memories often come to us in ‘snippets’ and that’s reflected in the narrative style. Leafing through the book is like being transported back in time to listen in to a conversation.

Cartoonist Al Thomas’s cartoon of a wireless set hidden in a byre shared by two Jersey bulls Through the eyes of Tony Chinn, we go back to June 28th 1940 and the bombing raids on Jersey just a few days before Occupation began. We visualise the “… white flags of all description - old underwear, bloomers and rags” hung out at First Tower as a sign of peace.

We experience school and family life and relationships through the eyes of the children of Occupation. Feeling frightened and hungry, making do and mending but also finding fun and joy despite the troubles and restrictions.

Living with the enemy, interactions with the German authorities, attempts at defiance and the dire consequences. There are familiar tales of crystal radio sets secreted in barns and guarded by ferocious animals, one family story captured in inimitable style by cartoonist Al Thomas, who manages as always to deliver humour out of far from funny situations.

Other illustrations include archive JEP photographs but also personal and family photos.

What was it like walking in shoes with wooden soles? Guy Le Sueur still has those shoes, which were ‘uncomfortable to wear, as they were so rigid’. Bryan Harrison still treasures a German soldier’s Agfa camera which he swapped for some of his father’s treasured tobacco as Liberation approached.

Memories of 9 May 1945 are included, of course. The crowded harbour, the cheers for the liberating English ‘Tommies’ and a fleeting teenage memory from Clare Duval, who can still hear the sound of ‘their clanking enamel mugs attached to their backpacks’ and remembers ‘the euphoria that had swept over the Island’ and the elation of ‘just being alive and free’. Through her compilation of these precious ‘Occupation Memories’ Therese Tabb reminds us of the resilience of those who lived through this unprecedented period in Jersey’s history. Although not intended as a ‘history book’, there’s no doubt that this is an important record of the times. Most importantly, it will allow future generations to hear ‘directly’ from those whose early years were defined by Occupation, so ensuring that their stories are never lost.

‘Occupation Memories’ by Therese Tabb is available price £7.99 from the author directly - call 01534 726704. It’s also available at WH Smith, the Post Office (Broad Street), the Jersey Museum, the Societe Jersiaise, the War Tunnels and many other local shops and outlets including the Red Cross Charity Shop, Queen Street. A donation to the British Red Cross will be made from the cover price of each copy.

King Street on the 1930s showing Hettich’s clock advertising the business as “Opticians”

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