Tag: first British soldier to land on Guernsey

The First Soldier To Liberate Nazi-Occupied Britain: Sergeant-Major Robert Shaw’s historic 1945 landing on Guernsey remembered 80 years later

First British soldier to set foot on Nazi-occupied soil in the British Isles forged unexpected friendships that have endured for generations.

As Britain prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day next month, the remarkable story of Sergeant-Major Robert Shaw – the first British serviceman to step onto Nazi-occupied British soil during liberation – is being commemorated by his family in Guernsey this May.

On May 9th, 1945, as the rest of Britain celebrated victory in Europe, Sergeant-Major Shaw from Glasgow and of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) made history when he became the first British soldier to land on Guernsey after nearly five years of German occupation. The Channel Islands hold the distinction of being the only British territory occupied by German forces during World War II.

“My father rode off the landing craft on his motorcycle at L’Ancresse Bay, leading the way for the armoured vehicles that followed,” recalls his son Robert Shaw, who will be attending the 80th anniversary celebrations alongside family members as part of the official cavalcade. “He didn’t encounter any resistance – just jubilant islanders overwhelmed with emotion at finally being free.”

Shaw’s first interaction on liberated soil would lead to an extraordinary decades-long connection. As he rode inland, he encountered a young local boy named John Rault cycling on the right side of the road – a practice adopted during the German occupation.

“My father was concerned the boy would be hit by the convoy of vehicles behind him,” explains Robert. “He stopped and told the boy to ‘cycle on the British side of the road’ – a small moment that symbolised the return to British rule after years of occupation.”

What makes this story remarkable is what happened 47 years later. In 1992, when Sergeant-Major Shaw returned to Guernsey to receive commemorative Liberation medallions alongside other veterans, the local newspaper printed his recollection of this encounter. The story caught the attention of John Rault – now an adult – who immediately recognised himself as the boy in the account.

Rault tracked down Shaw at his hotel, leading to an emotional reunion. The soldier and the boy then rekindled their connection from that historic day and maintained correspondence until Shaw’s death 20 years ago in 2005 at age 89.

“This wasn’t just about military strategy – it was about human connection during a pivotal moment in history,” says Robert Shaw. “My father always said that liberating Guernsey was the proudest moment of his service because he could see the direct impact on people’s lives after years of hardship.”

Born in Springburn, Glasgow in 1915, Sergeant-Major Shaw’s mechanical expertise proved valuable during the post-liberation period. Based at a local establishment known as Ash’s Garage, he worked alongside German troops who remained on the island temporarily after surrender.

He was particularly fascinated by how island vehicles had been converted to charcoal-burning units to overcome the severe petrol shortage during occupation.

“He often spoke about his admiration for the islanders’ ingenuity and resilience,” Robert recalls. “Despite everything they’d endured – food shortages, curfews, and isolation from the mainland – they maintained their spirit and identity.”

The Shaw family continues to honour this legacy by participating in ongoing Guernsey’s liberation celebrations, with this year’s 80th VE Day anniversary holding special significance.

They plan to follow the same route Robert Shaw took in 1945, participating in the official cavalcade that commemorates the path of liberation forces.

VE Day 2022: Family of the first British soldier to land on Guernsey soil visit the island for celebrations

Family of the first British soldier to land on Guernsey soil after the liberation of the island tell his story ahead of the VE day anniversary celebrations.

Family were due to travel from all corners of the UK to Guernsey for the 75th anniversary celebrations in 2020 but are attending this year instead.

Sargent-Major Robert Shaw who was born in September 1915 in Springburn, Glasgow, was the first British soldier to land on Guernsey soil after the liberation of the island from the German occupation at the end of the second world war on 9 May 1945.

Shaw was part of the Task Force 135, the British Military Contingent that liberated the island as part of the operation Nestegg exercise.

To honour his memory, Shaw’s three children and 4 grandchildren will be travelling from Scotland to Jersey and Guernsey this weekend to attend the postponed VE Day celebrations on Monday 9th May. The family were set to visit and attend the 75th anniversary celebrations in 2020 however this was cancelled due to Covid. 

Sargent-Major Shaw of the REME unit was on the first ship that came into L’Ancresse Bay to liberate the island in 1945 and Mr Shaw was the first to disembark, riding off on the landing craft on a motorcycle followed by a number of armoured vehicles.

Mr Shaw “met no opposition whatsoever except for the mobbing of the soldiers by the hilariously enthusiastic population”.

The first person he met was a local boy called John Rault who was cycling on the right hand side of the road. Mr Shaw stopped the little boy and told him to “cycle on the British side of the road which was the left hand side” as he was worried the little boy would be knocked over by the other vehicles behind him.

Forty seven years later in 1992, Mr Shaw visited Guernsey from Scotland again to receive commemorative Liberation medallions with a number of other war veterans.

After the local newspaper printed his story, the very same little boy, now an adult, Mr Rault read about the event in the local paper and remembered it and contacted Mr Shaw at the hotel he was staying in.

The two met up, reconnected and re-told the story and stayed in touch until Mr Shaw passed away in 2005 aged 89.

While Mr Shaw’s REME were in Guernsey they used a local garage called ‘Ash’s Garage’ for the repair of vehicles. He himself was a trained motor mechanic and told a local newspaper in 1992 “The British officers were anxious to get use of German cars while stationed on the island”.

Mr Shaw was interested to see how vehicles had been converted to charcoal burning units to overcome the shortage of petrol. During his post-war stay, Mr Shaw worked with German troops who were needed to help in the garage. He also visited the islands of Jersey and Sark and he also met the Dame of Sark at the time.

Robert Shaw went on to marry an English wartime nurse called Esme Collinson and started a family in Glasgow, where he lived until he died.

His son, retired Motor Retail Group Director Martin Shaw said: “My father was so proud of being part of such a historic moment in liberating the island of Guernsey after the war.

“He talked about this moment throughout his whole life and he was thrilled to be invited back in 1992 to receive an official commemorative medallion with 170 surviving veterans of Task Force 135. The fact he managed to reconnect with the very little boy he stopped all those years ago was just magical for him.

“Visiting Guernsey as a family in his memory this year will be such a special moment for us to be together and remember all those that fought with him in the war.”

The Shaw family would love to reconnect with Mr Rault’s family if they are still based on the island this weekend to continue the family relationship.