Occupation Medal replicas to be gifted to Guernsey children

Guernsey’s school children will be presented with a gift as the island marks the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day.  

Based on the commemorative States of Guernsey Liberation medals, children will receive a replica of the medal presented on an information board about Guernsey’s liberation on 9 May 1945. 

Primary school pupils will receive the commemorative medal on a Liberation branded ribbon while secondary school-aged children will be gifted the replica as a pin badge. 

‘The States of Guernsey Liberation medal was originally brass and suspended on a bar with a pin and was given to children who stayed in Guernsey during the German occupation,’ said Deputy Sue Aldwell, from the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture. 

‘As we mark such a significant anniversary, we want to ensure that everyone across the island can connect to our history and this gift for our younger members of the community adds to that.’ 

‘John Bourgaize has kindly lent his Liberation medal to the Guernsey Museum along with a number of other anniversary badges and medals which will be on display at Candie Museum,’ added Helen Glencross, Head of Heritage Services. 

‘A copy of the medal was also presented to surviving members of Task Force 135 on the 50th anniversary of Liberation in 1995. A red ribbon with two yellow vertical lines was added to represent the colours of the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the red triangular badge worn on the battle-dress shoulders of the liberating soldiers of Task Force 135.’