Thursday 28 April 2022
The second in a series of military living history weekends takes place this Saturday & Sunday at Castle Cornet.
Soldiers' Lives: The End of the War is a partnership between Guernsey Museums and the Guernsey Military History Company. Visitors at the weekend will be invited to learn about life in the Castle 76 years ago. At that time, the German garrison were still stationed in the Castle but the Occupation of the Channel Islands was coming to end in a week's time.
The living history will include both the Guernsey and German perspectives and is provided by the Guernsey Military History Company, headed by Russell Doherty.
The German perspective will be told by experienced interpreters in costume, situated on the Town Bastion. There will be a chance to learn about the daily and mundane life of the soldiers during late April 1945 - and also see real examples of their clothing, weapons and tools. In another part of the Castle, there will be a chance to hear about the life of Guernsey people and the inventive ways they found to stay fed, clothed and entertained.
Jo Dowding, Access & Learning Manager says, 'the German garrison were the last to be stationed in the Castle and those soldiers are part of its history. Events like this are an opportunity to learn about a very specific part of the Castle's long history'.
There will be themed trails for families to take part in during the weekend. On Sunday at 12.10 there will be a talk about the Guernsey Underground News Service from Allan Harris, who has a personal connection to the group.
Soldiers' Lives: The End of the War takes place this weekend, Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May at Castle Cornet. The Castle is open daily during the weekend 10.00-17.00. Entry is free with your Discovery Pass, otherwise normal Castle admission applies.
The event is in partnership with the Guernsey Military History Company.
