Newhope Baptist Church at 3 Springfield Rd, Blackburn North offers food parcels and toiletries for those in need.Newhope Baptist Church at 3 Springfield Rd, Blackburn North.newhope community care food pantry, baptist churches, springfield road, blackburn north no. 3

The letter to Mr A Ferris was from Mr and Mrs R Ferris of Bristol U.K thanking him for the food parcel. They were not related to each other. Australians sent food parcels to the UK after WW2. This one contained meat, milk, honey, cheese and jelly powder. It was organised through the “Bristol Society of Melbourne”. The letter is in the collections relating to Alfred G Ferris 2156 AIF, refer cat No 4183.3P for his service details.Envelope, “Air Letter”, light blue colour, all type in black, hand written on the front, dated 1947.Hand written, “Mr A Ferris Pte bag, Pyramid Hill Victoria Australia”air letters, food parcels, post ww2

Purchased by Susan Barnett in preparation for the Red Cross exhibition "Being There"Plastic coated cardboard badge for Red Cross Prisoner of War appeal for food parcels. Depicts foodstuffs and a red cross. Illustrations line drawings in black, black lettering with red decoration. Black lettering on neutral background."PRISONER OF WAR / APPEAL / SOUP / SUGAR / 1 LB / JAM / GINGER NUTS / BARLEY SUGAR / HELP SEND FOOD PARCELS"red cross, badge, wars, prisoners of war, soldiers, fundraising, george evans collection

These items were used to send food parcels to troops overseasCircular metal tin with lid. Wattle style pattern on side; willow in relief on lid.Manufacturers stamp on base: Willow/made in Australiadomestic items, containers, foodstuffs

Cpl A. P. Leach captured by Germans and sent to Stalag VII/A where he spent his 19th Birthday celebrated by a cake with "REAL FRUIT" from a food parcel. metal ID tag from Stalag VIIa with No. 92457 and 2 postcards from Cpl A. P. Leach to his Father R. W. LeachSTALAG VII/A Nr. 92457 pow, stalag vii/a

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2000. Food: from left, Alan Taylor, Ken Norris and Ras Mein load food parcels for Britain. These men are three from a large staff of W. Jeffrey, grocer of Hargreaves street, Bendigo. Photo taken by the Bendigo Advertiser, circa 1948, supplied by Ras Mein of Victoria street Ironbark. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Documents the meetings and gives a picture of Melbourne Legacy's work in those days, together with early examples of Club rules and organisation. Includes AGMs of The Legacy Club, Melbourne and Junior Legacy, and Extraordinary General Meetings. Highlights significant activities such as sending food parcels to London, which was still occurring in the 1950s, as well as tracing previous venues for meetings.A record of Annual General Meetings in the 1950s and 1960s.Minutes of Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary Meetings of Melbourne Legacy and Junior Legacy from 1951 - 1964, black type on fading white quarto or foolscap paper. 00212.1 1951 (Rules and motions only) 00212.2 1952 00212.3 1953 00212.4 1954 00212.5 1955 00212.6 1956 00212.7 1957 00212.8 1958 00212.9 1959 00212.10 1960 00212.11 1961 00212.12 1962 00212.13 1963 00212.14 1964regulations, meeting

This exercise book contains letters, mostly aerogrammes, sent by people in England during the years 1947 to 1950. They are letters of thanks for the food parcels sent to these people by the staff of George Swinton and Sons of Timor Street Warrnambool. The letters give details of the contents of the parcels, the situation with the families receiving the parcels and the effects of the food rationing and shortages in England immediately after World War Two. The name ‘H.C.Thomson’ on the front of the book refers to Helen Thomson, a staff member of George Swinton & Sons in charge of the food parcel distribution. William and Ann Swinton came to the Warrnambool area in 1854 and William opened a groceries, hardware, china and glassware store in Timor Street in 1865. After William Swinton’s death his son Robert became the first managing director of Swintons Pty Ltd. In 1934 the business split with Swintons Pty Ltd selling seeds, produce and hardware and George Swinton and Sons selling furnishings, clothing and glassware. Today the Swinton family still operates a furniture and bedding store in Timor Street, making it one of the oldest family businesses in Australia. This exercise book containing letters sent from England in response to the receipt of food parcels from the staff of George Swinton & Sons of Warrnambool is of considerable significance. The letters form a splendid social history of the situation in England after World War Two, especially for the elderly and the unemployed. They also are a reminder of the charity work undertaken by the staff of George Swinton & Sons 70 years ago. This was a prominent family business in Warrnambool (and continues in another form to this day). This is an exercise book with brown binding and a blue front cover with an image of St George, blue printing and a handwritten name and some other handwritten material which is not decipherable. The back cover has blue printing. Pasted on to the pages are handwritten letters and cards, mostly four to a page. Most of the letters are aerogrammes and some have stamps. Some pages contain addresses of families in England. There are some loose sheets.St. George Exercise Book Name… H.C.Thomson Grade.. School.. Swinton & Sons Timor St. W’bool Victoriageorge swinton & sons, history of warrnambool

The women in the photograph were members of the Sunbury Red Cross in 1915 and was taken during the years of World War 1 at 'Rupertswood Mansion' one of the Clarke family's homes. Over those four years the local people supported the war effort in many ways. School children knitted garments for the soldiers, Food parcels were sent away to the Front. Local events were held to raise money for the war effort. Many events supporting the war effort took place at Rupertswood and the Sunbury Red Cross frequently gathered at the mansion.On the Homefront members of the Sunbury community worked tirelessly to support the war effort and leading this movement was the local Red Cross.A non-digital sepia photograph with a narrow cream border of a group of well-dressed women posing for a photograph in front of a large mansion. A note on the back states that it is an original photograph which was taken in 1915. sunbury red cross, red cross, world war 1, rupertswood mansion, sir william clarke

A cardboard Red Cross Gift Box used by Australian Red Cross in WW11 to send comfort parcel to POW in Germany. This particular box belonged to VX34767 Private T.H. AndersonLeft top of Box: POW Food Parcel/Germany/same size 8lbs. Centre: Red Cross Symbol/A Gift/on behalf of your Next-of-Kin with the best/ wishes of the London Committee/ Australian Red Cross Society. Top right of Box: Postage label/Mrs (torn)?olls/149 (torn off) Street Geelong West Australia./ Below this is the contents list: Chocolate/Chewing Gum/ Dentifrice/ 4 hankerchiefs/ mail brush/ pullover/ pencil/ razor blades/ 2 safety pins/ shirts/ soap/ 3 prs sox/ shaving soap/ towel/mending wool. Left hand side lower down: Despatched 18/5/44/ VX 34767 Private T.H. Anderson/ Australian Prisoner Of War No 125514/ Stalag V11 A Germany/ C/O International Red Cross Society/ Geneva Switzerland.australian, cross, ww11, red, pow, t h, anderson

The International Committee of the Red Cross was formed in 1862. Initially its purpose was to try and find ways of overcoming the inadequacy of army medical services so as to alleviate the suffering of those wounded in armed conflict. Over time it has extended its work to include many forms of humanitarian aid in times of peace and war. The Australian Red Cross Society (ARCS) was formed just after the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, originally as a branch of the British Red Cross. It is especially remembered in the provision of “comforts” for soldiers overseas. Enormous sums of money were raised, and thousands of women volunteers contributed their time by making vast quantities of clothing: socks, vests, mittens, mufflers, pyjamas and a variety of linen. Items were sent to headquarters located in the state capitals, often using government houses as depots, where, after being sorted and packed by yet more volunteers, they were sent to Britain or the front. The effect of this work for the recipients was to bring comfort in its truest sense, for a seemingly trivial gift of a bar of chocolate of a pair of dry socks could bring the most profound relief for a soldier on the Western Front. From the date of its inception until the armistice the ARCS dispatched 395,695 food parcels and 36,339 clothing parcels Between 1914 and 1918 more than £3,500,00 was collected and spent on Red Cross services to the Australian Forces and Empire Forces. During WW1 and WW2 Red Cross raised funds selling buttons.Early settlers in Moorabbin Shire held fundraising events for the support of Red Cross Victoria and made cakes and knitted socks, gloves and scarves for distribution to serving men and women Metal buttons with printing on themRed Crossred cross, fund raising buttons, wwi, wwii, french red cross, british red cross, market gardeners, early settlers, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, cheltenham, caulfield repatriation hospital

The International Committee of the Red Cross was formed in 1862. Initially its purpose was to try and find ways of overcoming the inadequacy of army medical services so as to alleviate the suffering of those wounded in armed conflict. Over time it has extended its work to include many forms of humanitarian aid in times of peace and war. The Australian Red Cross Society (ARCS) was formed just after the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, originally as a branch of the British Red Cross. It is especially remembered in the provision of “comforts” for soldiers overseas. Enormous sums of money were raised, and thousands of women volunteers contributed their time by making vast quantities of clothing: socks, vests, mittens, mufflers, pyjamas and a variety of linen. Items were sent to headquarters located in the state capitals, often using government houses as depots, where, after being sorted and packed by yet more volunteers, they were sent to Britain or the front. The effect of this work for the recipients was to bring comfort in its truest sense, for a seemingly trivial gift of a bar of chocolate of a pair of dry socks could bring the most profound relief for a soldier on the Western Front. From the date of its inception until the armistice the ARCS dispatched 395,695 food parcels and 36,339 clothing parcels Between 1914 and 1918 more than £3,500,00 was collected and spent on Red Cross services to the Australian Forces and Empire Forces. During WW1 and WW2 Red Cross raised funds selling buttons.This Carnival was an example of the support given to Red Cross by market gardeners, early settler families and schools in Moorabbin ShireDandenong Red Cross Carnival 1917red cross, dandenong, springvale, chelsea, dingley, keysborough

Information from research by Mabel Rogers from the first meeting in August 1939 – 1969 Notable Events of the CWA The document contains information about meetings and events and numbers of members who attended. December 2013 – a selection of some of the items of interest have been extracted by Wendy Barrie NOTABLE EVENTS Page 1 1938 August 10th 1938 Minutes of inaugural meeting of Melton Branch Country Women’s Association. Cr Coburn introduced Mrs Toose, Ballarat G.P. [Group President] 42 ladies were present, including visitors from Bacchus Marsh and Smeaton Branches. September – Miss A Raleigh was elected Magazine Secretary October- 26 members present. Penny Collection for Million Members Fund November December – Mrs Swan gave demonstration of basketry, using stringy bark, Eucalyptus bark and reeds 1939 February 1939 – 18 members present. Branch total 50. Donation towards Pedal Transmitting Set. Inquiries made of Shire Council re permission to fence War Memorial March April – cost of fence material beyond Branch Funds May- 24 members present June, July, August – birthday celebrations. September 25 members present October – Meeting hled at Toolern Vale Bird Sanctuary 36 members present November – 1st Annual Meeting December – Owing to harvest operations, only 11 members present. 1940 February electric kettle and urn to be purchased for Mechanics Institute. Also to install a power point. [Electricity was connected to Melton in December 1939] April end of page 1 Page 2 May – Council Permission to be sought, to plant trees on oval below Shire Hall P.M.G. to be asked to supply a seat outside telephone booth for convenience of callers after P.O. was closed. June- Wives of A.I.F. soldiers be made honorary members. “1d per week drive” for gift for the Empire. July, September, October November – Group President stressed the importance of keeping Branches together during time of war. Collection of sheep skins to be made into vests for fighting forces worthy of consideration. Group President, Mrs Morgan-Paylor. December 1941 February 30 members present March – Eight members attend Ballarat Group Conference. Approach Council re fencing and preparation of land for tree plantation May – Mrs Swan demonstrated making of slippers from pieces of sheepskin June – Empire Gift Scheme of 1d per week to be continued for another year or duration of the war. July – Demonstration on making camouflage nets August, September Group Conference at Smeaton, October, November meetings held 1942 February- Enquiries to be made as how to help with A.R.P. work March, April, May, June,- Headquarters busy on war work. July end of page 2 Page 3 August, September. October – 15 Camouflage Nets forwarded to Headquarters November- Mrs Glasson Group President presided at Annual Meeting. Meetings to be held at 3 monthly intervals. Overseas link, enquiries be made of Melton Mowbray had a C.W.A. Branch 1943 February- Overseas link to be Lampeter, Cardiganshire, Wales May- 7 Camouflage Nets to Headquarters. American overseas link Nov 5th Annual Meeting, letters received from Wales and America 1944 May – Approach to be made to Council re formation of Baby Health Centre July – Ball held for Baby Health Centre effort. Admission 3/- 1945 February- Mrs Lemke present at meeting May August- Miss Strahan of Womens Hospital gave a talk on “Work of Almoner Departments in Public Hospitals” November Annual meeting. eight food parcels sent to Britain, 2 to Lampeter 1946 meetings held every two months May- Congratulations to Mrs Swan, Group President Elect June – 20 members present. August- 8th Birthday celebrated with a Social Evening Music was supplied by Mrs E.W. Barrie September - Scone competition 1. Mrs Beaty, 2. Miss Robinson 3. Mrs Exell November- Eggs sent to Somers House 1947 February – Demonstration of Glove-making March – revert to monthly meetings April - decided to have an auto tray made for the Branch May – Branch decided to plant a tree for Princess Elizabeth’s 21st Birthday.. Council to be asked if agreeable to continue arrangements in 1940, to fence C.W.A. Plantation end of page 3 Page 4 June - Food parcels sent to Overseas Link July – Invitations to birthday celebrations sent to Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Sunbury, Mt Egerton August September - Collection of silver coin taken a donation from Branch towards wedding gift to Princess Elizabeth … forwarded to H.Q. November – C.W.A. together with Red Cross and Bacchus Marsh C.W.A. to provide afternoon tea and luncheon at Eynesbury sale. 1948 February – Food parcels sent to ex-Prisoner-of-war. Publicity agent appointed April – Decided to apply for trees to be planted in area already chosen a beauty spot May – Additional listeners to Broadcast Session were appointed June July – Gift of books received from Overseas Link. I was decided to stat a Library . Miss Raleigh to at a Librarian. August – 5 pound donation from Branch funds to “Save the Children” Appeal. September, October, November 1949 January – At Group Conference, delegates to vote in favour of resolution that State School children be allowed to sit for exams in own school March – Decided to contact Council for permission to fence off Water Reserve April, May – Another parcel to be sent to Ret. British P.O.W. Association June July – Fancy Dress Children’s Ball to be held for Annual Effort August – 11th Birthday September – Bank Balance November – 11th annual Meeting. Members agree to supply small gifts to Ballarat Mental Hospital 1950 February – Five books were received from Lampeter March – Branch to support idea of holding a Music Drama Festival in Group April – Miss Smith elected Group President May – C.W.A. Science Van visited Melton June – Demonstration of Macrame work - July August – 12th Birthday Celebration end page 4 Page 5 September, October November 12th Annual Meeting, Miss Smith Group President. Melton's Country Women's Association Choirlocal special interest groups, local identities

These three badges all bear the phrase " For Our Fighting Men" and were sold to raise funds for Australian servicemen's comforts in World War One. The funds would have been used to send food and amenities parcels to those serving overseas, to provide assistance to those soldiers who had returned to Australia or were serving within Australia. The funds from the sale of these badges were directed to the Australian Comforts Fund which was an organisation formed in August 1916 from the amalgamation of the State groups formed to provide assistance to those serving in World War One. These badges are of interest as examples of those made and sold in Australia during World War One to provide comforts for Australian servicemen..1 Circular metal and enamel badge. The front features the Australian flag on a red background surrounded by a white annulus and a pale blue ring with text. There are rust marks on the surface.The reverse has a pin clip. .2 Identical to .1 but very discoloured and faded. .3 Circular metal and enamel badge. The front features a the head and shoulders of an Australian soldier in uniform with a slouch hat and a gun with bayonet fixed against a background of the Australian flag. Inside the outer rim of pale gold is a white ring with red text. There is a pin clip on the reverse. .1 FOR OUR FIGHTING MEN .2 Identical to .1 .3 OUR FIGHTING MEN AUSTRALIAN.COMFORTS. FUNDaustralian comforts fund

Centenary of St. John's Presbyterian Church Forest Street, Bendigo 1872-1972. List of former Ministers of St. John's Church. A brief account of the history of the church is given. Extracts from minutes of Presbytery Church of Castlemaine 2/7/1872 states that they had not yet held any Sabbath Services in Sandhurst a grant not exceeding Twenty Pounds to meet the expenses of such Services necessary to establish a Second Charge in Sandhurst. Services were conducted in the Albion Hall, collections were obtained were liberal, Memorial signed by 104 members and adherents who expressed their desire to be recognized as a Congregation. St. John's first met at the Orderly Room (site of the Art Gallery), then at the Albion Hall (site of the Royal Princess Theatre), they then moved to St. James Hall (now Myer Store). In 1874 a weatherboard church in Forest St. was erected seating 550 persons, and named St. John's Presbyterian Church. It then became known as St John's Free Church and in 1880 it was admitted into the Presbyterian Church of Victoria and named Chalmer's Church. History accounts goes on to explain the further changes which happened within the church to 1972. Many other details have been included in the book such as the costs of the pews the 'Ladies Work Committee', a monthly church paper, Anniversary platform, securing a Manse, the year of the 'black-out', food parcels, the purchase of a building, the pioneering of religious films in church services, renovations, Sunday School, Stewardship Campaign, electronic organ. The history goes on detailing the growth of the organisations in the church; Choir, Sunday School Sunday School Ladies Auxiliary, PWMU, Afernoon Fellowship, Ladies Guild, PGF, Men's Club and Brotherhood, Bible Class, Sporting Clubs, PFA, Mission Band, Creche, Cradle Roll, Board of Management. A list of 'Memorials and Other Gifts Through the Years' from 1904 to 1972. Present 'Office Bearers of the Church'. Photo of present church on front cover, on rear cover is the church erected in 1897. With Indexchurch, centenary, st john's bendigo, st john's presbyterian church forest street bendigo centenary

The P.W.M.U. was formed in May 1914, during the ministry of the Rev. Ben Williams. Mrs Williams presided at the first meeting. The object of the Union is to further the work of missions at home and abroad. t is responsible for mission work in china, Korea, New Hebrides, and deaconess work in the city.. Parcels of food are sent away from time to time. Last year the member made four quilts for the Babies’ Home. The Union has sustained severe losses in the departure from the district of Mrs I Robinson and Mrs E. Jessie Barrie: and Mrs Cameron was called to higher service on July 28th, 1947. The first President appointed was Mrs Atkin, Miss Macdonald, acted at Secretary of the Union for 22 years. For all the women who recognise the need of mission work for Christ, this Union is a wonderful opportunity for service. Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union (P.W.M.U): Mrs Jessie Barbarella nee (McIntosh) Miss Elsie Raleigh, Mrs Minnie Barrie nee Agar, Miss Jean Macdonald, Mrs Alison Raileigh?, Miss Christine McPherson, Miss Agnes Riddell, Miss Lois Raleigh and Mrs Ross.churches, local identities

This stencil has been made to imprint the label, 'Britain Relief Appeal' on to parcels and packages sent to Britain in the late 1940s and the early 1950s from the City of Warrnambool. Britain endured severe rationing of food, clothing, petrol and furniture from 1940 because of the outbreak of World War Two and this rationing continued in some form after the war up to 1954. Australian towns and cities established organizations such as Food For Britain and sent regular parcels of food and clothing to Britain during those times. The British Relief Appeal in Warrnambool (via the Warrnambool Food For Britain committee) was sponsored by the Warrnambool City Council, Toc H, Australian Red Cross, and various local charities and businesses. The Warrnambool & District Historical Society has in its collection over 100 letters sent by grateful British recipients of these parcels to the senders, the employees of the local Warrnambool business, Swintons Stores.This stencil is of interest as a memento of the effects of rationing in Britain in post-World War Two times and the close ties that existed between Australian towns and cities and their British counterparts.This is a rectangular-shaped metal stencil, originally painted black, with cut-out letters in the centre. Britain Relief Appealwarrnambool food for britain committee, warrnambool britain relief committee, world war two

William Graham GOODMAN VX11397 enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 27.3.1940 age 33 years 2 months. 8.4.1940 posted to 2/5th Batt. 14.4.1940 embarked for the Middle East. 22.5.1940 hospitalised with Otitis Media (ear infection). Rejoined unit 27.5 1940. 14.6.1940 hospitalised with a throat infection. Rejoined unit 16.6.1940. 27.7.1940 transferred to 6th Division ASC. From here he served in Ammunition and Composite Coy’s in 6th Div ASC and graded Group 2 Mechanic MT. 24.3.1941 embarked for Greece. 5.6.1941 reported as missing. 15.12.1941 officially reported as POW in Stalag V111B. 17.5.1944 as part of a POW exchange he embarked from Barcelona to Algiers then Alexandria arriving on 2.6.1944. He is admitted to No 5 NZ GH with Dyspepsia and discharged on 9.6.1944. 28.8.1944 embarked for Australia as a medical casualty. 29.9.1944 arrived Sydney. Hospital again with Dysentry and is medically down graded to D. 6.12.1944 marched out to GDD for discharge. 18.2.1945 discharged from the Army. A document in his records that he supplied details states his POW No 24198. He was captured on 1.6.1941 on Crete and they were on rear guard action at their post when the Island capitulated. It also details living conditions, clothing issue, food, sanitary, treatment, parcels etc. Ref Reg No's 3768, 3569, 3570, 3571, 3572, 3573. A4 certificate, yellowed, folded 8 times. Certificate of Discharge for VX11397 William Graham GOODMAN, Certificate No 151615. AIF Royal Park 8.12.1944.certificate, discharge, aif

Food/Personal items sent by family to troops serving overseas. Hand made cotton bags were completely sealed. Overseas address was simply made out to "Abroad"Food, personal items and presents were sent by the family or friends to serving troops overseas. Canvas/Cotton bag hand sown together with black cotton.VX 18968 Dvr N.E. Morris A Section no1 Echelon 7th Division A A S C Supply Column 2nd AIF Abroad From M. L. Morris Wilson St Cheltenham Melbourne Australia (Identical information Written on both sides of the bag.parcel present cotton bag vx 18968 morris 2aif 7 division cheltenham

Small booklet produced by the Australian Branch of the Red Cross Society, Headquarters and Central Depot, with guidelines for making donations of goods such as clothing, linen, blankets, bandages, books and food items to the Australian War effort and instructions for knitting woollen items of clothing intended for defence personnel on active service. The booklet is not dated however it is from the WW1 era and has twenty pages.The booklet front page has the following text: "RED CROSS SOCIETY", "AUSTRALIAN BRANCH", "Headquarters and Central Depot" and a note printed in red "When forwarding parcels, send by post complete duplicate list with number of each article to Officer-in-Charge." The Red Cross symbol is featured in the form of a red +.

This folder was created to record the 20th anniversary of the founding of Diamond Valley Foodshare Inc.Diamond Valley Foodshare Inc. was created to assist local people in financial hardship by donating food parcels to them. The organisation was founded by the Greensborough Citizens Advice Bureau.A folder enclosing a 6 page story on Diamond Valley Foodshare Inc. and 6 colour photographs.Each photograph has the names of the people in them listed on the back.diamond valley foodshare inc, greensborough citizens advice bureau

Gift parcels for Britain. Myer Emporium Ltd. Bourke St. Melbourne. No year date. One sheet. Product (food) and price list - Assorted, Meat, Dairy Produce, Jam, Fruit and Mayfair Parcels.business, retail, myer's store

Vega Trophy (Mounted Wooden Life Ring) Donor: Graham Noel During World War II when the Germans occupied the Channel Islands the local people went through very severe food rationing and were on the verge of starvation. Near the end of the war, the Swedish ship Vega was allowed by the Germans to deliver several shipments of food to the civilian population, easing the critical shortages of food on the islands. Further background detail can be found below. Graham Noel was born on the Islands and lived there during this harsh period. The trophy is awarded to the winner of the Combined Division AMS Aggregate Series. First Winner: Under Capricorn, P. Bedlington 2005/06 Vega – Further historical background Early in the Second World War Jersey was declared “unarmed” and the German military took over, taking quite a few lives in the process, through strafing the main harbour and a few other places which they needlessly considered threatening. A considerable number of locals evacuated to England before the Germans arrived, but more than 60% of the population remained and endured 5 years of very strict and difficult conditions. Not only was the population unable to contact relatives in the UK or elsewhere, but very quickly they found themselves subject to harsh curfews, strictly rationed foodstuffs, no fuel for vehicles, radios confiscated, and homes and hotels commandeered by the military. The military demanded first pick of all foodstuffs and kept meticulous records of all livestock forcing farmers even to show newborn calves and piglets to them, then claiming the new arrivals for their dinner tables. However there are many stories of farmers outwitting their masters when twin calves or suchlike arrived! Lawbreakers were quickly dealt with, mostly with lengthy prison terms in Jersey, but the more serious crimes were punished by being sent to some horrible French prisons, or even some of the notorious German concentration camps. All local Jews were dispatched to concentration camps, and even English born families were similarly shipped through France and on to Germany. Sadly, a considerable number of those deported did not make it back safely to Jersey. In June 1944 the locals were delighted to hear that the Allies had invaded Normandy and very soon they could hear the battles as the Allies worked their way along the French coast. Little did they know they would still have to wait another 11 months for freedom, having to put up with a very demanding German occupation force which was still determined to obey Hitler’s order to “Defend the Channel Islands to the death”. Now that France was in Allied Hands the local military commanders were unable to supplement their food supplies from France and even harsher demands were made on the local population to ensure that all branches of their still very substantial military force were reasonably well fed. As well as the military, Jersey farmers had to provide food for the Allied POWs and the many “forced labourers”, mainly of Russian, Polish and Italian backgrounds who had been directed to the island to build all the concrete bunkers. This included an underground hospital, all this complying with Hitler’s orders to ensure that the Channel Islands would never again be part of Britain. Many requests by the Jersey authorities for Red Cross assistance were rejected, but finally in December 1944 they agreed and on 30th December the Red Cross vessel “Vega” (Swedish Registry) arrived and delivered parcels to the civilian population. These parcels contained a variety of foodstuffs supplied mainly by Canadian authorities, desperately needed medical supplies, flour, oils and soaps, as well as tobacco from New Zealand. Vega made a further 3 or 4 trips and most certainly eased the desperate situation being faced by the locals. In fact, it resulted in the locals having slightly better food supplies than the military and many local farmers tell stories of having to protect their stock from marauding soldiers. Understandably Churchill was reluctant to send in an invading force to retake the Channel Islands, but by May 1945 it was clear that the Third Reich was finished and on May 9th the German Military surrendered, without a fight, to a large British landing force. On a slightly lighter note … in January 1945 Jersey stonemasons were seen in the main town square repairing flagstones … the Germans had never noticed that the name “Vega” had been formed in those flagstones! As a side note Vega is the name of the brightest star in the universe. Furthermore, throughout the occupation, despite German law that demanded confiscation of all radio sets, punishable by long prison terms or deportation to Germany, there were still many sets being listened to. The locals had a well refined news system for the dissemination of news of what was happening in the outside world. vega, graham noel, ams, combined division, aggregate