Tuesday 21st October 2025 7.30 - 9.00pm (Doors open from 7pm)
Dorset Family History Society will be hosting a meeting at St George's Church Hall, Darby’s Lane, Oakdale, POOLE, Dorset, BH15 3EU with a talk by JAMES PORTER entitled ‘THE GERMAN OCCUPATION OF THE CHANNEL ISLANDS IN WW2’.
In this talk James explores the events leading up to the occupation of the Channel Islands in 1940 after the fall of France, and the soul-searching around the evacuation of part of the populations. Then he describes the arrival of the German forces, their reception and their everyday life in the islands. He examines the changing relations between occupying forces and island authorities and the massive construction programme of fortifications whereby the islands were incorporated into Hitler’s ‘Atlantic Wall’. He looks at the British commando raids and the life and privations of the civilian population as the War progressed and food became increasingly scarce for both islanders and occupiers. The talk lasts about an hour.
James is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, originally from Guernsey in the Channel Islands. He retired in 2011 after 41 years service which took him to Northern Ireland, West Germany, Berlin, Norway, Cyprus, Falkland Islands, Belize and sub-Saharan Africa.
Coming from a military family, he has been interested in military history all his life and has led, organised or participated in various battlefield tours and is an associate member of the International Guild of Battlefield Guides.
Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Plenty of free parking.
Entry is £3 to include tea/coffee and biscuits.
EVERYONE WELCOME TO ATTEND, BOTH MEMBERS & NON-MEMBERS.
Please check members E-news or the website
www.dorsetfhs.org.uk should there be any last minute changes.
