Duchess joins Alderney's 80th Homecoming events

Alderney has been marking 80 years since the first families returned after the majority of islanders were evacuated ahead of the German Occupation.

The occupiers brought forced workers to the island and turned it into a fortress, with many houses destroyed or looted along with it becoming the site of the only Nazi concentration camp on British soil.

The rebuilding and restoration of the island after World War Two was due to the "dogged determination" of those who returned, said President of the States of Alderney William Tate.

The Duchess of Edinburgh visited the island as residents commemorated the island's 80th Homecoming - the day the first families returned after five years away.

Tate said: "Those brave islanders who suffered five long years of uncertainty, having been evacuated from their island home at a day's notice, they never lost their faith that one day they would return.

"That they did but to an island ravaged by the events of the Occupation."

He added: "By dint of their dogged determination, application and never say die attitude they rebuilt the Island and the community, bit by bit.

"It is on their shoulders that we stand today... we will never forget the debt we owe them."

Pauline Black, president of the Alderney Society, described the home-comers as a "resilient bunch".

"When they got here, of course, there were hardly any houses, there were a lot of destroyed houses, and I really do not know how they managed," she said.

"Some didn't stay, you can hardly blame them, but some stayed and they made an island again, which is fantastic.

"As long as the people that were evacuated are still alive, I think it's very important to keep it going - and of course, they've all got families and big families, some of them, so they'll keep it going, which is tremendous."

The duchess attended a special service at St Anne's Church, which was followed by a wreath laying at the court house.

She also visited a special exhibition at the island's museum and attended a celebration with some of those who returned 80 years ago.

Tate said the day had been "an absolute triumph" and had "demonstrated everything that is so great about our community".

"The fact we had Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh just really was the icing on the cake and they just loved to talk to her," he added.

"She was so good with them and I think you know the homecoming is important every year but this year they'll treasure those memories.

"She was so engaging and she made my job so easy that it really has been a real joy."

Resident Lesley Green, 64, said: "It's fabulous that she comes to an island such as this on such a commemorative day.

"There's not many probably alive that remember the horrific evacuation, only having one case, having short notice and only one toy for any children.

"It's amazing how much this island has rebuilt in over the last 80 years."

She added: "Sophie is looking super, as always."

Ms Black said it was "a real honour" to meet the duchess and show her the exhibition.

"She's such a nice person and so relaxed and so interested, she's fascinated by the destroyed houses and what people had to endure when they came back," she added.

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