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Liberation stamps revealed

Credit: Guernsey Post

Guernsey Post is issuing six stamps to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the bailiwick.

They will be released this Friday.

The images depict real life happenings from May 1945 when the island was liberated.

The six stamps show....

  • Brothers Roger Bott and Peter Bott on the quayside in St Peter Port harbour enjoying what was probably the first chocolate they had ever tasted, which was given to them by British soldiers from Force 135.
  • Members of the Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry Band playing for the crowds in St Peter Port on 12 May 1945.
  • Colonel H R Power, OBE, MC Chief Civil Affairs Officer, No. 20 Civil Affairs Unit.
  • Force 135, making slow progress along the Glategny Esplanade on route to the Court Buildings for the Hoisting of the Flag Ceremony on 9 May 1945.
  • Guernsey man Petty Officer John D Langlois of the Royal Navy, who arrived in Guernsey on 12 May 1945, smiling into the camera alongside his sister who greeted him on North Esplanade.
  • Landing ship tank US 516 arriving at the Old (Inner) Harbour of St Peter Port, watched by crowds on 12 May 1945.
  • King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in Candie Gardens for presentations by the Bailiff of Guernsey during their visit to the island on 7 June 1945.

Following five long years of German occupation, 9th May 1945 is a day that will never be forgotten in Guernsey's history - and we felt it was important to include commemorative stamps to mark the 70th anniversary.

– Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post