During the annual special States sitting to mark Liberation Day, the Treasury Minister, who is not standing for re-election next month, said that he felt ‘honoured and privileged’ to have been asked to address the Assembly on the 73rd Liberation Day.
‘I have made many speeches in this Assembly but none, especially with this being my last, will have been given with more pride or emotion,’ he said.
The Senator said that 9 May was ‘such a special date’ for Jersey and paid tribute to those who lived through the Occupation.
‘For those who were here during the Occupation, many will still all-too-vividly recall the uncertainty, the fear, despair, pain, death and deprivation of those dark years,’ he said.
‘They will also recall the Jersey spirit of courage, determination, resilience, innovation and defiance – qualities Jersey men and women have displayed for generations and which, during that horrific period, were needed for their survival.’ The Senator told the Assembly that his father was an officer in the British Army during the Second World War and was captured by the enemy but later escaped imprisonment.
‘He spoke little of his war-time experiences – the loss of two of his brothers, numerous friends and colleagues,’ he said.
‘Clearly those experiences left their mark and he rarely shared those painful memories. I learned a lot about my father’s wartime exploits from a BBC documentary.
‘His capture, his time in a prisoner-of-war camp and his eventual escape, tunnelling beneath his captors and the weeks crossing occupied Europe to Switzerland and eventually home.’
Senator Maclean said that Liberation Day was a ‘special day of celebration’, as well as a time to remember the sacrifices made by many, which helped build the foundations of our modern and free society.
‘Because of those selfless acts of courage we are here today enjoying our freedom. We are forever in their debt,’ he said.
‘We live in a beautiful, stable Island – in a democracy where everyone has choices and their freedom of speech. Today let us remember and give thanks and let us celebrate our special day, our freedom and optimism and hope for a bright future.’
The States sitting was attended by the Lieutenant-Governor, Air Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, and his wife, Lady Dalton.
