Then, with the Monument to Freedom statue glinting in the bright sunshine, the square erupted into cheerful applause as the key elements which took place on 9 May 1945 were re-enacted before thousands of flag-waving onlookers.
The Bailiff, Sir William Bailhache, had earlier welcomed hundreds of guests – among them the Island’s Jurats, politicians, dignitaries and the Mayor of St Helier’s German twin town Bad Wurzach – to the celebrations marking 73 years since Liberation.
He described it as a day about freedom, which he urged those gathered and those watching on a large screen in the nearby Weighbridge to treasure.
Sir William also called on Islanders to exercise their freedom by voting in next week’s election.
He added: ‘It is easy to talk unthinkingly about the loss of freedom and probably only those who have lost it really understand what that means.
‘The Occupation years carried an appealing simplicity for some, and unending boredom for others; but for everybody they carried the fear that goes with loss of liberty and freedom – the fear that goes with uncertainty as to how the Nazi occupiers would react if you, or sometimes others, because there were reprisals, said or did anything which they found displeasing.
‘It had not begun like that in 1940, but freedom can be lost by degrees.
‘To me, our freedom is an actuality, marked by a firm black line, not to be eroded under any circumstances.’
Summing up the sentiments of the day, the local head of the Methodist Church, the Rev Graeme Halls, who read the prayers during the hour-long service, said: ‘Lord Jesus Christ, we celebrate and give you thanks for the end of the hostilities that brought liberation to this Island 73 years ago today.
‘We thank you for the strong bonds between Islanders, within families and between friends, that sustained this community through those dark years of occupation. For the service and sacrifice of all who made the Liberation possible; for the peace we have enjoyed since 1945; and the reconciliation and partnership with those who were once the enemies.’
During the service, Beautiful Jersey – the Island’s unofficial national anthem – was sung by soloist Kiera Melville, while Imogen Nicholls’ Musical Originals Singers and Training Choir gave a spellbinding performance of Stephen Hatfield’s Living in a Holy City.
