Guernsey Press

First visit back for veteran who liberated island

THE formal part of Liberation Day began with the parade for the first time since 2019 after two pandemic forced cancellations.

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D-day veteran Corporal Jack Quinn, 97. (Pictures by Sophie Rabey, 30798713)

The uniformed cadet forces, veterans, Gurkhas, bearers of the island standards, and Chelsea Pensioners lined up at the North Esplanade, where they were joined by members of the Royal Court.

They were inspected for the first time by the new Lt-Governor Lt-General Richard Cripwell. It was also the first parade for Richard McMahon who was installed as Bailiff in May 2020.

Of the four D-Day veterans who were present, Corporal Jack Quinn was also a member of the force that liberated the island 77 years ago, landing at the Old Harbour at 9.43am on 9 May.

He remembered the feeling of euphoria from those they were freeing.

‘A woman came up and kissed my boots,’ he said.

‘She gave me a piece of potato peel pie which tasted like manure, so I spat it out. She said: “You wouldn’t have done that if you had been starving like we were”.’

Corporal Quinn, who was awarded the French VC, recalled seeing the Woolworth’s store on the Quay.

‘I remember thinking that we had one of those in Sheffield,’ he said.

He spent two days in the island rounding up German prisoners and this week was the first time he had been back.

‘It was clear that the average German soldier had had enough too, but the SS and Gestapo were speaking to people like dirt.’

At the opposite end of the age spectrum, Roux Fletcher, 10, who goes to La Houguette Primary School, was parading with the Sea Cadets for the first time.

‘I’ve done the Remembrance Parade with the St John Cadets but this will be a new experience for me,’ he said.

‘It was a big thing for Guernsey as they had waited two days to be liberated,’ he said. ‘I’m just thankful that I didn’t have to live through it.’