The Guernsey Deportees
The Guernsey Deportees

The Guernsey Deportees

Channel Islands Podcasts

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Episodes

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A little-known story of wartime resilience. Hear the stories of the last remaining Guernsey deportees. 80 years ago a group of Channel islanders were forced to abandon their homes during WW2, and were sent on Hitler’s orders to Biberach interment camp. Ollie Guillou speaks to his Grandma about the 3 long years she spent in the camp. He’s also joined by three other deportees and two historians, who help chart the life-altering journey these Guernsey people went on, all those years ago. Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/collection/1395666

Recent Episodes

Ep 4: Life and Hope in Biberach
APR 23, 2025
Ep 4: Life and Hope in Biberach
⚡ The Guernsey Deportees never lost their resilient spirits through all of the years of internment. Though they were isolated and imprisoned, they still found joy, excitement and happiness in Biberach. Life may have been hard, but they made do.💡 In 1942, during World War 2, Hitler ordered the deportation of more than 1000 islanders from Guernsey. Jill Chubb was just 3 years old when she set sail, but her memories are vivid and clear. And in this special podcast series, her grandson, former BBC Guernsey presenter Ollie Guillou, charts her story - joined by three other deportees and two prominent historians.🔎 This fourth episode explores the ways the Deportees entertained themselves, whether by testing the patience of German soldiers, or watching aircraft zoom through the sky. We hear how they still celebrated Christmases - in the only way they could. We discover what it was like to fall seriously ill in the camp. And we hear the story of Bill Balcombe of Everest, who made wonderful mugs for his fellow internees.⚙️ With special thanks to:Jill Chubb, Chair of the Guernsey Deportees AssociationRalph Godwin, DeporteeJanet de Santos, DeporteeJill Oliver, DeporteeAlan Chubb, Secretary of the Guernsey Deportees AssociationDr Gilly Carr, University of CambridgeMatthew Lucas, War historian📍 Written and produced by ⁠Ollie Guillou⁠ and ⁠Phillippa Guillou⁠. This is a ⁠Channel Islands Podcasts⁠ production.✉️ Share your messages and memories; email [email protected]
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19 MIN
Ep 3: Arriving in Biberach: First Impressions
APR 23, 2025
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19 MIN
Ep 2: The Dark and Dirty Journey To Biberach
APR 23, 2025
Ep 2: The Dark and Dirty Journey To Biberach
⚡ The journey to Biberach interment camp wasn’t straightforward. After being whisked away from their homes on a cargo boat, the Guernsey Deportees made a stop-off at a transit camp in Dorsten - a vile, filthy place, where men were left to cook hedgehogs to survive.💡 In 1942, during World War 2, Hitler ordered the deportation of more than 1000 islanders from Guernsey. Jill Chubb was just 3 years old when she set sail, but her memories are vivid and clear. And in this special podcast series, her grandson, former BBC Guernsey presenter Ollie Guillou, charts her story - joined by three other deportees and two prominent historians.🔎 This second episode explores the Deportees’ memories of Dorsten - a camp they were never meant to visit. Hear how this horrendous camp has left a lasting impression in their minds, even after spending just a short amount of time there. And discover the stories behind some of the art created in the camp, under the most oppressive conditions.⚙️ With special thanks to:Jill Chubb, Chair of the Guernsey Deportees AssociationRalph Godwin, DeporteeJanet de Santos, DeporteeJill Oliver, DeporteeAlan Chubb, Secretary of the Guernsey Deportees AssociationDr Gilly Carr, University of CambridgeMatthew Lucas, War historian📍 Written and produced by ⁠Ollie Guillou⁠ and ⁠Phillippa Guillou⁠. This is a ⁠Channel Islands Podcasts⁠ production.✉️ Share your messages and memories; email [email protected]
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19 MIN