Children at work filling sand bags
That Was Jersey |
Local history for everyone |
CHANNEL ISLANDS |
Life in Occupied Jersey affected every home. At first money could still buy all one wanted, but even within the first few months, some things disappeared from shops. Some foods were difficult to find, or if found, proved too expensive for any ordinary family. So every child would be aware of shortages. As the Occupation dragged on year after year, both children and adults suffered from the lack of a normal healthy diet. Sweets and cakes and even many fruits became a distant memory. When the Liberators eventually came they gave out oranges to the children, but it is said that many children had never seen an orange and didn't know what it was!
Clothes had to be handed down through families or among friends and neighbours. Shoes wore out and the only way to have something on your feet was to find a way of making them. Jersey "clogs" had wooden soles with the upper part made of any available fabric.
Toys were also passed around families, or were home made. Children became very creative at finding toys and games they could play. The first Christmas of the Occupation, the States gave parties for the children. They had an appeal for toys and sweets, and through the generosity of many people, each child received a small gift (probably either secondhand or home made, but "new" to them).
Not only was there a shortage of toys, but children also had to help with various kinds of work. Children living on farms were used to helping out with the farm work. New experiences included filling sandbags as an ARP (Air Raid Precaution). These children are filling sandbags at the West Park Pavilion.
Some schools were requisitioned (taken over for use by the military forces, the Germans). Schools taken in this way included Victoria College, Jersey Ladies' College and Beaulieu Convent. This meant a lot of re-organisation for teachers, finding alternative accommodation for lessons, as well as having only very basic equipment for teaching.
When very little paper was available, children had to write on slates with chalk. When there was no fuel for light and heat, they had lessons in their coats. Although the States wanted children to stay at school longer, where they could care for them, school hours were limited for very practical reasons.
The hardest part of school during the Occupation was having to learn German. German lessons were compulsory, although many teachers and children learnt only a very small amount!