 Harold Hobbs died when the lifeboat came under machine gun fire |
A wreath has been cast into the sea in memory of a Channel Islands lifeboat crewman killed by a German warplane 63 years ago. Harold Hobbs, 34 of St Peter Port, Guernsey, died on 28 June, 1940, when the lifeboat came under machine gun fire from the German aircraft.
The attack happened as the lifeboat was passing Noirmont Point, Jersey, on her way to collect the St Helier lifeboat to take her across the Channel to England.
Occupying forces
Before Mr Hobbs' body could be returned to Guernsey, the island of Jersey was occupied by German forces.
It was not until five days after the attack that the St Peter Port lifeboat crew returned to their own island with the body on board, after permission was granted by the occupying forces.
At a special ceremony, the St Helier lifeboat sailed off Noirmont Point to pay a lone tribute to Mr Hobbs.
On board were St Peter Port lifeboat crewman Stuart Rowe, St Helier lifeboat coxswain Andy Hibbs and St Helier lifeboat operations manager Captain Howard Le Cornu.
One-Minute World News 
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