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The Alderney flag is flying from the UK's Ministry of Justice building today - to mark the 77th anniversary of Homecoming Day.
15 December 1945 was the day many people who had been evacuated at the outset of the Second World War returned home.
Today is Homecoming Day for our friends in Alderney.
— VisitGuernsey (@VisitGuernsey) December 15, 2022
Marking 77 years since the first islanders returned after the mass evacuation at the start of WWII, finding an unrecognisable island from the one they had left 5 years earlier and the long process of rebuilding was to begin. pic.twitter.com/ey6OR7wEIS
Today, the President of the States of Alderney's, William Tate, said he had been contacted by Mike Freer MP who is Parliamentary Under Secretary for the Ministry of Justice, with responsibility for the Crown Dependencies.
Mr Freer said: “We are flying the Alderney flag at the Ministry of Justice headquarters in London to mark the 77th anniversary of Homecoming Day, commemorating the return of residents following the mass evacuation of the island during the Second World War."
He continued by praising the island community of 1945, and today.
“The resilience and community spirit demonstrated following their return is still a crucial part of life on the island and I wish the people of Alderney a happy Homecoming Day.”
HOMECOMING DAY. Today is a remarkable day of the return of Islanders to Home after 5 years of Evacuation.
— Channel Islands WW2 Remembrance Campaign(@RemembranceCI22) December 15, 2022
Alderney is a story like no other & the islanders who had to start again after 5 year WW2 Evacuation.
We give thanks for the Homecoming in 1945.#Alderney #Homecomingpic.twitter.com/c1r2iDQmO3
Homecoming Day is marked every year by people in Alderney.
Today an Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service was held at St Anne's Church, while a wreath as laid at the island's Memorial Stone at the Harbour.
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