Homecoming Day is marked for 65th time

Thursday 16th December 2010, 1:00PM GMT.

States President Sir Norman Browse, right, leads yesterday’s service. (1069379)

ALDERNEY residents spoke yesterday of the joy and horror of returning to the island after the Second World War.

The 65th anniversary of Homecoming Day was marked with a special ceremony at Braye Harbour.

After the event islanders recalled their wartime experiences, which started when Alderney heard France had fallen to Hitler’s army in June 1940.

Almost everybody decided to leave immediately. Around 1,400 residents were shipped to Weymouth before being billeted in various parts of the country, with many ending up in Glasgow.

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View more: Evacuation news, Homecoming news, Occupation news.

1
Ray

December 16, 2010 at 1:27 pm

I’m probably being a bit thick here but when I saw the completely wrecked state of the Alderney houses on TV I was left wondering how and why they got into that state

There was no actual fighting/bombing during the occupation so how come they appeared to be completely gutted…possibly for the wood content I suppose

Hopefully there is an answer out there

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