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.