The 5 years of German Occupation of Guernsey 1940 - 1945
A Child's War: The German Occupation of Guernsey as seen through young eyes.
A Time for Memories: Islanders, including the Dame of Sark, Dame Sybil Hathaway, tell their stories. The book includes Red Cross messages (coded and censored) and the stories of the arrival of the life-saving Red Cross parcels.
These books tell of the EVACUATION, OCCUPATION, DEPORTATION AND LIBERATION
86 pages of fascinating reading, suitable for all ages
Photographs and letters of interest, one signed by Winston Churchill to Molly
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A Child's War has sold more than 50,000 copies around the world.
Read reviews and extracts, and view photos from TV programmes.
WHAT WAS EVERYDAY LIFE LIKE FOR A CHILD AND HER FAMILY DURING THE FIVE YEARS OF GERMAN OCCUPATION IN GUERNSEY FROM 1940 TO 1945?
CHAPTERS: Read of the turmoil and evacuation of families and most of the children in 1940 - the schooldays and the "games" of a child aged between 9 and 14 years had to play! There was 'Grandpa's Pastimes' and 'Law and Orders' to obey! 'Entertainment' and 'Characters' and finally, the SS Vega bringing our life-saving Red Cross parcels in December 1944, with our joyous 'Liberation' and freedom to follow, in May 1945.
The Channel Islands were the only British Territory to be occupied during the 1939 to 1945 war. Islanders were immediately imprisoned and amongst thousands of unsmiling enemy troops, all armed with daggers, bayonets, guns and rifles. Our world was suddenly turned upside down, so what was everyday life like for a child and her family?
This story has been a tribute to my mother and to all mothers who had the worry and frustrations of bringing up children during the five years of German Occupation on the Island of Guernsey. I have appreciated being allowed to bring up daughters without traumatic experiences such as my parents had to face. I appreciate the many blessings of today and feel very privileged and fortunate to live in freedom on such a beautiful island, Sarnia Cherie*
Molly J Bihet
This book is dedicated to my dear mother, Gladys Finigan, who was always caring and cheerful to everyone and an inspiration to all who knew her in those dark days of 1940 to 1945.
"A wealth of fascinating insights into a little girl's personal war" Jill Chadwick, Managing Editor, 24 SE7EN, 'The Island's No1 weekly magazine', previously of Guernsey Evening Press and Star, Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Today Newspapers.
'A Child's War' Audio Book (2 x CD) also available
A Time For Memories
Molly's latest book (August 2005)
EVACUATED, OCCUPIED, DEPORTED AND LIBERATED.
Guernsey and Sark's complete record June 1940 - May 1945.
Following on from Molly's previous books, A child's War and Reflections of Guernsey, this latest book includes stories of many islanders who lived through the Nazi occupation of Guernsey, 1940 - 1945, including that of Sibyl Hathaway the Dame of Sark. The book also includes war time recipies, photographs and Red Cross letters.
All profits made from this book will be donated to the British Red Cross.
From the Back Cover:
"While the Vega was being unloaded, virtually every Islander went down to the Esplanade to stand and admire and indeed, pay homage to the ship that had brought us our next meal, and our next and our next...the ship that brought us hope, the ship that brought us life. I stood on the Esplanade and admired the ship, with its Swedish flag proudly flying from its stern and proposed a silent toast: The Vega, God Bless her". (Bill Green)
Islanders' stories and the Dame of Sark, Mrs Sibyl Hathaway, tells in her own words, 'The Occupation of Sark; Veterals of Task Force 135 relive Liberation 1945 and remember celebrations of 1995; coded messages sent through the Red Crosss; Our boat the Vega came, and much, much more...
Reflections of Guernsey
Molly's second book, written as a sequel to A Child's War
With 'A Child's War' many readers felt my first book (printed 1985) was left unfinished, and they wanted to know more about the Island and our lives.
Further memories of Guernsey's occupation, our liberation and freedom through the years 1949 to 1993, now updated to 2007. With these memories I have written of more "happenings", statistics and also coincidences of the German Occupation of Guernsey. remembering again our never to be forgotten Liberation Time, and afterwards our important Rehabilitation period of 1945-1946. Not forgetting the joyous and emotional homecomings of thousands of islanders after the five years of separation. The Guernsey I like to remember; the characters of old, my family, friends and guests who over the years have made the Island of Guernsey very special to me. Sarnia Cherie* (see note below)
Mum (Glad Finigan) selling poppies for the British Legion - as she did every year from 1947. For many years, she played an old Barrel Organ on Rememberance Day, and over the years raised a considerable sum of money. This photograph was taken in November 1984 when mum was eighty years of age.
*Sarnia Cherie = "Guernsey My Dear" (Guernsey's 'national' song) Hear it here!
