WATCH: June's Occupation story brings memories flooding back

Sunday 14 March 2021

A Guernsey Soroptimist has won an international writing competition for her evocative memoirs of her childhood during Guernsey's Occupation.

Members of Soroptimist International across the globe were invited to write a story about their childhood, with Guernsey-woman June Money claiming first prize with her short story ‘Memories of an Occupation’.

"I was three years old when war broke out and lived through the German Occupation during my formative years, which left a lasting impression on me," she told Express.

"Listening to Tara Arkle [daughter of Dame Joan Collins] narrating my memoirs was like going back in time."

Pictured: June’s story has now been published on YouTube, read by Tara Arkle, daughter of Dame Joan Collins. The YouTube video includes pictures of June as a child, edited by Philip Holmes.

Writing is a hobby June has enjoyed for many years, documenting her childhood during the Occupation in numerous forms. 

In the late 90s, June wrote 'Aspects of War' a factual view of daily life during the German Occupation of the Channel Islands from 1940 to 1945. Originally self-published in three parts, it has since been produced in a single volume, and has been used in Guernsey schools to help educate children about their ancestor's experiences.

"It is important to remember that the Channel Islanders survived the long drawn out Occupation years with hope of liberation, surviving with resilience the harsh and at times inhuman rule of the Occupying Forces," said June.

"There was a unity of family and friends in often desperate situations, much as we have seen in Guernsey Together in this pandemic; a fight against living with the seen enemy and now the unseen enemy of the Covid 19 pandemic."

"The presence of the enemy living amongst us was part of my life"

Competition organiser Philip Holmes said June's memoirs were spell-binding and timely - a fine example of enduring hope in the face of adversity. 

"Last year's Big Story represented a fabulous burst of creativity in the midst of lockdown. It was a real testament to the human spirit in the face of adversity," he said.

"That was echoed in June's wonderful memoir of childhood. The occupation is a part of our nation's history that has, perhaps for obvious reasons, not been given the attention that it deserved."

Pictured top: Guernsey-woman June Money.