Guernsey Deportees Association
Newsletter No 17
July 2026 email: guernsey.deportees@gmail.com
Message from the Chair
Dear Friends and fellow Deportees, I hope that this Newsletter finds you in good spirits and that you have been able to get out and enjoy these lovely Summer days.
As many of you were unable to attend the usual get together after the White Rock annual Memorial Service Remembrance this year, as promised, we have arranged a get together to be held at les Cotils on 2nd September at 10.30am in the Carol Hindes Room where we will be serving tea, coffee and cakes at no charge. No need to notify me, please just attend if you are able, as it will be a good opportunity for a chat with friends, old and new.
I am pleased to report that this years’ Memorial Service at the White Rock Plaque to mark the 81st year of the Deportees Liberation saw one of the highest attendances that we have seen for many years with over 30 people in attendance. Our thanks go to Simon De La Rue of the Guernsey Press for his excellent articles which have raised so much interest in the deportation.
As you may be aware our dear friend the Dean of Guernsey the Very Rev Tim Barker retires this year and will be leaving the Island shortly. Rev Barker has been a great supporter of the Deportees since his arrival on the Island and will be deeply missed. We wish him all the best for the future.
Sir Richard McMahon retires as Bailiff of Guernsey in August this Year. Sir Richard has also been a great supporter of the Deportees over the years and has represented us at numerous functions, most recently in Biberach (see next page). Thank you Sir Richard, you will be greatly missed by us all.
This year (with assistance from our Secretary Alan) I have given two presentations on the history of the Deportation and my memories as a child: one to Guernsey Senior Citizens and the other to Guernsey u3a.
I am pleased to report that interest in the Deportation and its relevance to today’s worlds events continues to grow.
That’s all for now.
Jill, Chair, Guernsey Deportees Association.
AlanGChubb 21-07-2026
Events in Guernsey and Biberach to Mark the 81st Year of Liberation
At the same time as our Memorial service was conducted in Guernsey this year there was a reciprocal formal signing of the Framework of Friendship Agreement first signed in Guernsey last year being held in Biberach. This was attended by dignitaries from Biberach and Guernsey.
As no members of the Deportees were able to attend the event, the Association was kindly represented by the Bailiff Sir Richard McMahon who in addition to his own message read out a message of greetings and reconciliation from the Guernsey Deportees (see message on right). Also at the signing was the external relations lead, Steve Falla and Mayor of Biberach, Norbert Zeidler.
“Today marks the 81st year of our remembrance of the Liberation of the Guernsey Deportees from the prisoner of war camps in Germany. In Guernsey we will be holding our own Ceremony at our plaque at the White Rock to give thanks for those liberated and to remember those who died.
Last year we were fortunate to attend and witness the signing of the Framework of Friendship in Guernsey in the presence of Guernsey representatives and the Mayor of Biberach Norbert Zeidler, and we welcome our increasing bonds and friendship with the people of Biberach that these signings bring.
We send our Best Wishes to all our friends old and new and look forward to further initiatives of friendship and reconciliation.”
Service of Remembrance at the White Rock Guernsey 2026
AlanGChubb 21-07-2026
Service of Remembrance 2026
At our Service of Remembrance, the focus this year was on reconciliation, especially with the younger generations in Guernsey and Biberach. At the ceremony a message of friendship from Helga Reiser of the Biberach friends of Guernsey was read by Alan which stressed the importance of the friendship for future generations. The service itself commenced with words from the Dean of Guernsey who said he had learnt much from his contact with the Deportees during his tenure on the Island. He and Father Inna of the Roman Catholic Church of Guernsey then led prayers remembering those who had died and suffered as a result of the Deportation and prayers of peace and reconciliation. Flowers were then laid at the memorial by Jill on behalf of the deportees and those attending also had the opportunity to lay flowers in remembrance of loved ones lost, and those who suffered as a result of the Deportation. After the formal proceedings were completed, there was an opportunity for memories and friendships to be shared by all those attending.
Flowers laid by friends and family, in memory of those Deported, some of whom never returned.
AlanGChubb 21-07-2026
Visit to Guernsey of German Ambassador to the UK
Guernsey and the Bailiwick was honoured to receive a visit for the Liberation events of the newly appointed German Ambassador to the UK, Her Excellency Susanne Baumann. Jill and I received an invitation from the Lieutenant General Sir Richard Cripwell to represent the Deportees and meet the Ambassador informally for dinner at Government House along with other guests representing other Island Groups at the start of her visit.
We both had the opportunity to talk to Her Excellency, who was very interested in the history of the Deportation and the Guernsey Deportees. She later stated: “It is very encouraging to see the close connection between the Island and Biberach, which is significant as it increases people to people contact” We are grateful for the opportunity to get the history and work of the Deportees more widely known.
Her Excellency : Susanne Baumann
AlanGChubb 21-07-2026