Liberation Of The Island Of Jersey - 50 Years - St. Helier, Jersery, The Channel Islands
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 49° 10.966 W 002° 06.554
30U E 564913 N 5448155
This statue of local Jersey people celebrating liberation from German occupation was unveiled on 9th May 1995 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the event.
Waymark Code: WMM2NN
Location: Jersey
Date Posted: 07/09/2014
Views: 7
The island of Jersey is a self-governing parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with its own financial, legal and judicial systems, and the power of self-determination. It has an international identity separate from that of the UK but the United Kingdom is constitutionally responsible for the defence of Jersey.
During the Second World War Germany feared that the UK would use the island as a base to invade Europe and so it occupied the island to prevent this.
At the end of the war the German army surrendered and UK troops liberated the island. Amidst much celebration the United Kingdom flag was unfurled from a window overlooking the site of this statue.
The statue shows a group of islanders and a British Serviceman holding aloft a UK flag reflecting the celebrations of the time.
The life size bronze figures are standing on a round stone platform surrounded by a fountain. The fountain has 12 jets of water representing the 12 parishes that make up the island of Jersey.
The layout of the figures is designed to encourage people to walk amongst the figures and there are four stone walkways across the water of the fountains to allow this. Set into the floor at the feet of the people is a plaque with the following text.
At this place on 9th May, 1945,
advance parties from the Royal Navy
and the British Army liberated Jersey
from nearly five years of occupation
by German forces. They and the return
of the British flag were greeted by
thousands of Islanders with intense relief,
joy and gratitude.
On the 50th Anniversary of that day,
the States and people of Jersey dedicate
this new Liberation square to commemorate
that historic event and all those whose
efforts and sacrifices made it possible.
This Sculpture by Philip Jackson F.R.S.S.
was commissioned by the Jersey Public
Sculpture Trust and unveiled by His
Royal Highness The Prince of Wales
on 9th May 1995.