Steve Roberts said the project would commemorate the forgotten generation of islanders who were forced to flee their homes during the Second World War and who died in exile before the island’s liberation.
‘I am incredibly grateful that so many evacuees made it home in 1945,’ he said. ‘But my heart breaks for those who did not. Their stories, their sacrifice, their absence – these have never been formally honoured, and I believe it is time that changed.’
He hopes to commission a life-size oak sculpture depicting an Alderney family, two adults and two children with suitcases, standing as if waiting to board the vessels which carried them from the island.
The memorial would be placed near the harbour, facing the sea, symbolising the journey away from home and honouring those who never returned.
The northern isle has just celebrated the 80th anniversary of Homecoming Day, when the first evacuees returned to Alderney after five years of occupation.
Mr Roberts said this was a cherished moment in the island calendar.
‘One that honours resilience, reunion, and the restoration of a lost community,’ he said. ‘But for me there is another date that has long weighed heavily on my mind – 23 June 1940, the day the order came to evacuate.
‘On that day, this island bled its soul,’ he said. ‘Families stood on the breakwater with one suitcase, saying goodbye to their homes with no certainty they would ever return, and many never did.’
Six boats took islanders to England and Scotland. Residents left behind livestock, belongings, and the evacuation scattered Alderney’s population across the country for the duration of the war.
‘Some evacuees – men, women, and even children – passed away before the war ended, never getting the chance to breathe Alderney air again,’ he said.
Mr Roberts added the story of his own family mirrored that loss.
‘Four generations of my family boarded the evacuation boats in 1940. Great-grandparents, grandparents, mother, an unborn sibling, uncles, aunts, and cousins. Both of my great-grandparents died in exile within months of each other.’
Mr Roberts is inviting local organisations, businesses, and residents to join him in raising funds to bring this tribute to life.
‘This memorial will ensure future generations never forget Alderney’s darkest day,’ he said. ‘It is not only about loss, but about identity, connection, and the strength of our community.’
The Blonde Hedgehog will hosting a fundraising dinner in February 2026, featuring a 1940s-inspired menu.
A short film is also under consideration as one of the launch events, with matched donations helping to kick-start the project.
‘Any support is welcome, financial contributions, organisational support, or simply helping us spread the word,’ he said. ‘This is a piece of history that deserves recognition.’
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