S S Vega arrives in Guernsey

Mr Ray Caradeuc interviewed by Margaret Le Cras

Transcribers note : Transcription difficult at times because interviewer was nearer the microphone and her interjections sometimes upstage Mr Le Caradeuc, who is rather faint. Where the interviewer’s comments are relevant they have been transcribed in full.

I………. So what about Liberation Day, then. Did you go down to the harbour?
Ray Caradeuc. Ah yes, and when the Vega came,
I…… That would have been on Christmas, just after Christmas she came in?
Ray Caradeuc. No, before.
I…… Oh, before, OK.
Ray Caradeuc. Because I was still working for [ ] and we saw it coming down from France, you know, what’s the lighthouse between here and France?
I………. Les Roches Douvres
Ray Caradeuc. He said, “Right, now’s your chance, see if you can beat it to the White Rock” from there, it’s a hell of a long way. “See if you can beat it, go and get the rations” Tobacco ration. I had to go and get the tobacco ration every week. So I had to race down there, it was coming through the pierheads…
I…… As you got into Town, that was good going.
Ray Caradeuc. Ah hell, I’ll never forget it
I………. So, where did you get your Red Cross parcels from?
Ray Caradeuc. From Mrs Le Pelley at the [ ]
I………. Oh yes, on the corner. There used to be a little shop on the side, eh? You didn’t have far to go then, no.

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