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CIOS news - St Brelades Bay Soldatenheim Book donated to CIOS 

We are delighted to report that, due to the diligent efforts of Matthew Costard, who made enquiries several months ago following the sale of the St. Brelade’s Bay Hotel by the Colley family, the St. Brelade’s Soldatenheim visitors’ book has been donated to the CIOS. The Society is very grateful to Mrs. Amanda Colley who made the donation in accordance with her late husband, Robert's, wishes.

 

Having been displayed in a cabinet in the hotel lobby for many years, the book is in excellent condition. A unique record of the comings and goings of various German units, it contains visitor contributions in the form of cartoons, drawings, comments and poems, and also the signatures of high ranking officers such as Oberst Knackfuss and Generalleutnant Graf Von Schmettow. The book is a very important piece of Occupation history, and we are thrilled that it has been secured for the benefit of the Island.

 

Members may recall that Michael Ginns wrote an article about the book in Review No. 25. Should anyone wish to purchase a copy of this Review (which is still in plentiful supply) then please get in touch with the Secretary or Treasurer.

 

The visitors’ book has now been safely deposited in the CIOS Collection at the Jersey Archive, and although access to the book will be restricted owing to its rarity and value, the public will be able to view a High Definition facsimile prepared by Colin Isherwood (our archivist). For Society members, Colin will be arranging for a facsimile to be made available for viewing at a future meeting.