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A 19-year-old musician who has a "special connection" with Liberation Day said she was "truly honoured" to be asked to sing Jersey's national anthem at yesterday's re-enactment.
The atmosphere was jubilant in the square as the sun shone on crowds gathered outside the Pomme d'Or Hotel at midday.
Rebecca Arthur's rendition of the national anthem 'Beautiful Jersey' was met with applause as islanders eagerly awaited a re-enactment of the events of 9 May 1945.
The 19-year-old said: “It was a lovely, serene atmosphere, and to be standing amongst so many generations of people in Jersey and representing them felt truly special.
“My nanny was a young girl who lived in Jersey during the occupation, so I feel a special connection to Liberation Day, and was truly honoured to be able to commemorate the experience she and so many others had."
Pictured: Rebecca Arthur said it was "truly special" to sing Jersey's national anthem at yesterday's Liberation Day celebrations.
Miss Arthur, who is going to study flute at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in September, added: “Music is such a special way of connecting with people and memories, especially in remembering the Occupation and Liberation, so I felt very proud and moved.
“I’ve sung with the Musical Originals Choir at Liberation Day for many years, so to be singing as the soloist was a real honour, and I enjoyed every minute of it.”
The annual ceremony marks the moment when British soldiers scaled the balcony of the Pomme d'Or Hotel, which was the German Naval Headquarters during the Occupation.
Here, Force 135 replaced a swastika flag with the long-awaited Union Jack flag – which was forbidden under the occupation – and draped it over the balcony.
The soldiers comprised a task force from the Army, Navy, and Air Force dispatched to liberate the Channel Islands under Operation Nest Egg.
Force 135 arrived in Guernsey on 9 May before advancing to Jersey, bringing with them 6,000 troops and an array of vehicles loaded with essential supplies.
Pictured: A group of 30 islanders from the Jersey Field Squadron retraced the footsteps of Force 135 at yesterday's Liberation Day celebration.
They landed on the beach in St Aubin's Bay using amphibious assault craft and then marched through St Helier from New North Quay to the Pomme d'Or Hotel.
It was here that British forces gained control of the town and officially announced the liberation to crowds of joyous Islanders.
A group of 30 islanders from the Jersey Field Squadron today retraced the footsteps of Force 135.
Ascending the steps of the Hotel to its balcony, the group relived the famous moment when then Harbourmaster Captain Richmond and Colonel Robinson of Force 135 raised the Union Flag for the first time following the end of the Occupation.
Pictured: The Union Jack was raised from the balcony at the Pomme d'Or Hotel.
The flag was then raised at Fort Regent to signal when Jerseyman Captain Hugh Le Brocq, who had left the island with the Royal Jersey Militia in 1940, led a small party of men up to the military base to hoist the Union Flag there as well.
The ceremony came to a close with islanders singing 'God Save the King' as a tribute to the sacrifices made by earlier generations and the "spirit of service" that continues to define the island, as expressed by Bailiff Timothy Le Cocq earlier in his speech.
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