The veterans were all involved with Operation Nest Egg, the liberation of the Channel Islands in May 1945, and had made contact with the island with a view to being present at commemorative events on 9 May.
Among those who had hoped to visit were Stuart Snow, a former member of the Royal Navy who now lives in Australia, and Joe Coreless, who was a Royal Marine from Wales who saw action as a landing craft coxswain on both D–Day, in Normandy, and on Liberation Day in Guernsey.
Lt-Governor Vice-Admiral Sir Ian Corder has written a personal letter to each of the six, thanking them on behalf of islanders for the role they played 75 years ago. His letter encloses a commemorative 75th anniversary pin badge.
‘These men were part of a decisive moment in recent Bailiwick history and it would have been particularly poignant for them be here for the 75th anniversary,’ said chief of staff to the Lt-Governor Major Marco Ciotti.
‘Sadly, the current pandemic has ruled that out, so His Excellency has personally expressed his gratitude to them on behalf of all islanders, and assured these veterans that Liberation Day remains the defining date in our calendar.’
Sir Ian has already had a response from one of the men, thanking him for the letter and badge.
In his letter, Sir Ian explained that public participation in the 75th anniversary would now be exclusively via the internet and broadcast media.
Mr Snow will form part of the revised online schedule of events on Saturday 9 May, when he talks about his involvement in Guernsey’s liberation in a recent interview recorded in Australia, to be streamed at 12.20pm.
n Details of how to view the 75th anniversary programme of events online are being shared with the veterans and their families.
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