A day to remember

[hoggie]

On this day in 1945, the people of my home island returned to their homes, 6 months after the war ended.

An extract form the newspaper in another island on the day read "At 8 o'clock on the morning of Saturday, December 15th, 1945 as a reddened sunrise streaked through a leaden, overcast sky, there steamed into Alderney harbour, under escort of two M.L. vessels manned by men of the Royal Navy, the Southern Railway ship "Autocarrier", laden with the most precious cargo of 110 Alderney exiles."

There had been an advance party on 2nd December, sent to prepare the way.

The entire population had been evacuated at a few hours notice on 23rd June 1940 - many of them never returned, but a great many returned to their home, after 5 years occupation by the Germans, to find the island in ruins. Houses that hadn't been actively in use by the Germans had had everythign burnable stipped for firewood. Many houses were uninhabitable. The island had housed 4 slave camps, and had been fortified beyond all belief - To this day there is concrete almost everywhere you look in spite of the islanders burying as much of it as they could. But those people came home, 10 days before Christmas, to pick up the pieces and re-start their lives.

Today in Alderney, we have a bank holiday to remember the "homecoming" but I also try to remember on this day, all those who have had to leave their homes for "whatever" reason. All those who may have to flee their homes with just one bag, and never know if they will return to their homes.

Please, remember them with me, and say a prayer if you will of thanks that this island home WAS returned to it's owners. Many are not so fortunate.

hoggie