So eager were members of the audience at a presentation by Channel Islands Occupation Society vice-president Paul Le Pelley that many gave donations towards the initiative afterwards.
As part of the 75th anniversary of the Vega bringing Red Cross parcels to Guernsey, Mr Le Pelley gave a talk on the history of the Red Cross and its involvement with islanders during the Second World War.
He said that this extended beyond the Vega visit alone, and other vessels operated by the charity also supplied aid. It was also involved in delivering messages and parcels to Channel Islands residents being held in internment camps such as Biberach.
There was standing room only for the presentation and he said he would be happy to do it again if there is sufficient interest.
He said it struck a particularly emotional chord with a number of people in the audience, who spoke afterwards of their own experiences of receiving the parcels from the Vega as children in the island.
Mr Le Pelley said that CIOS member and Occupation Museum owner Richard Heaume called for those who supported the memorial plaque idea to raise their hands after the presentation: ‘I didn’t see one person without their hand up,’ said Mr Le Pelley.
He added that a retiring collection was held and he saw a lot of people making donations.
The local society members will discuss the next step at its committee meeting this month, since a formal application for the plaque has to be made.
If successful, the aim is for it to be placed at the Cambridge Berth, which was called The London Berth when the Vega docked.
Mr Le Pelley was optimistic that the plaque application would be approved: ‘I think we’ll be pushing at an open door,’ he said. ‘It’s undeniable that it’s worthy of commemoration.’
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