CHANNEL ISLANDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 8 June 1945, Page 5

CHANNEL ISLANDS

GREAT WELCOME TO KING AND QUEEN ASSURANCE OF UNBROKEN LOYALTY GRATITUDE FOR HELP GIVEN London, June 7 The people of Jersey gave the King and Queen a great welcome when Their Majesties stepped ashore at St. Helier to-day. Speaking at St. Helier the King said: It fiives me great joy that you are now again restored to freedom and to your ancestral relationship with the Crown aftor a long period of suffering under enemy occupation." His Majesty added: "We join with you in the hope that the war against the remaining enemy may soon be brought to a victorious close and under God’s good providence the nations of the world may enjoy lasting peace.” The Bailiff, in reply, after giving an assurance of the unshaken loyalty and devotion of the people of Jersey, said “The island is profoundly grateful for the aid and succour so promptly and in so generous a measure brought by His Majesty's armed forces.” In reply to the address by His Majesty’s Bailiff at Guernsey, the King said: ‘I have felt deeply for my people in Guernsey and Sark throughout their long years under occupation. It gives me great joy that the Channel Islands, the oldest possessions of the Crown, are once again restored to freedom." The King and Queen after the official reception made a 15-mile tour round the island and were loudly cheered by crowd's along the route. Their Majesties talked to many people who told of their experiences on the island during the German occupation. After lunch the King and Queen left by air for Guernsey.