WATCH: What the Guernsey Military Vehicle Group have planned for Liberation Day

LIBERATION DAY 2020 will not be celebrated in the way it was envisaged just a few months ago. Gone are the marching bands and the music, the crowds lining the Town front, the children enjoying the bouncy castles and other activities, the sight and spectacle of the cavalcade.

Picture by Sophie Rabey. 04-05-20. Guernsey Military Vehicle Group have had to change their plans that they had in place for the 75th Liberation Day here this year because of Coronavirus Lockdown. Instead of the usual cavalcade they will be posting videos on their social media throughout the day to show islanders some of their members military vehicles. Dyer family, L-R Sophie, Stuart and Laura.. (28240571)

This year, to commemorate and celebrate 75 years since liberation from German occupying forces, a bigger than ever cavalcade was being planned.

‘We were looking at having in excess of 150 vehicles,’ said Stuart Dyer, chairman of the Guernsey Military Vehicle Group. ‘We started the planning towards the end of 2018. Around 100 vehicles were due to come over from the UK, Jersey, Germany, the Netherlands and France. They would have joined our vehicles, which number around 45.’

Disappointment for the group as well as for islanders who enjoy watching the cavalcade wind its way to Town from L’Ancresse via the Bridge and Bulwer Avenue.

However, all is not lost.

Plan B has had to be shelved for now. A drive through the main parishes was suggested, but with present government guidelines, it would have been difficult to ensure everyone who wanted to watch could practise social distancing.

So plan C is afoot – and will be a real treat for those who will be missing seeing the military vehicles.

‘On Liberation Day, members are going to upload videos of their vehicles to our Facebook page,’ said Stuart.

While this year’s cavalcade will be virtual, Stuart is hopeful that in 2021 it will be the real deal again. While it is too early to plan ahead in the current circumstances, those who had booked to come over have expressed interest in coming next year.

Out on the road

The local group takes to the roads outside of Liberation Day. ‘As well as the regular cavalcade, we would normally have a vehicle run every four to six weeks,’ said Stuart. ‘We have different runs for different vehicles. The Jeep run has a set route through the lanes – it’s quite a fun run. We also have a winter rally where we go off-roading and get the vehicles muddy.

‘We need regular runs to keep the vehicles motoring – otherwise the brakes could seize up.’

Stuart’s daughter, Laura, who is the group’s events secretary, added: ‘Anyone wanting to see our route can check out our Facebook page where dates of runs [usually Sundays] and maps are uploaded. We go all year, January-November, weather depending. It’s not much fun when there’s no doors on some of the vehicles,’ she said.

While the vast majority of the vehicles are Second World War era, there are some modern vehicles and some older ones, too. Lots of the members have military bikes as well and the group of bikers have their own runs around the island.

Getting hooked on military vehicles

Stuart’s love affair with military vehicles goes back to his early teenage years. ‘When I was 13, a friend of my father’s was involved with the group. I was interested in bunkers and it all really started from there. I used to go down after school and help take the wheels off the vehicles.’

Growing up, Stuart became a commercial vehicle mechanic and his hobby became his job.

Now he owns two vehicles that he’s named after his daughters. ‘The family had no choice but to be interested,’ he said. ‘The girls have grown up with it and they’ve always had an interest.’

Dodge WC56 Command Car

Stuart bought the 1944 vehicle after he saw it advertised in a military vehicle magazine. ‘I’d always wanted one like that,’ he said. ‘It was for sale in Shropshire, so I went over with a trailer. I remember it was on D-Day (6 June), although 2007.’

Stuart started restoring the vehicle in 2008. It had arrived stripped down and with parts in boxes. ‘I had to sandblast it then paint it,’ he said. Stuart found out that the command car was bought by the French army after the war and was originally restored in the 1960s.

The vehicle is named Sophie Jayne after his younger daughter, who is too young to drive it, although she is looking forward to doing so in October.

Dodge WC63 Weapons Carrier

The 1943 model is named Laura Lou after Stuart’s elder daughter, who enjoys being behind the wheel.

‘This vehicle took about four years to restore,’ said Stuart. The vehicle came from Jersey where it had been used on the slipway down by Elizabeth Castle.

The Guernsey Military Vehicle Group will have a static display at the Vintage Agricultural Show on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July (government guidelines permitting). ‘We’re expecting a good turnout of vehicles,’ said Laura.

The organisers of the show will make an informed and final decision at the end of May as to whether the show will go ahead due to government restrictions.

About the Guernsey Military Vehicle Group

In 1978 a handful of friends formed a Military Conservation and Study Group. Following the success of Guernsey’s 35th Liberation Day Cavalcade in 1980 (which was the first time military vehicles had taken part) the members decided to buy their own vehicles.

As a result in 1981 the Guernsey Military Vehicle Group was formed.

Currently there are around 45 members with British, American, Canadian and German vehicles. There is even an ambulance among the assortment of vehicles.

The group regularly raises funds for the Royal British Legion, typically between £2,000 and £3,000 a year.

Anyone with an interest in military vehicles is welcome to join the Guernsey Military Vehicle Group (you don’t actually need to own a military vehicle).

If you would like to get involved with GMVG please email info@gmvg.co.uk.