THE family of a Millport soldier who was the first to liberate Guernsey from the Germans in 1945 finally had the chance to mark the day's 75th anniversary after a two year delay.

Sgt-Major Robert Shaw landed on the channel island at L’Ancresse Bay on May 9 as part of Task Force 135, who had come to liberate the it as part of Operation Nest Egg.

He was the first solider to land on the beach and bravely scouted the road ahead for his fellow troops on a motorcycle.

The Sgt-Major moved to Millport in 1974 and was a popular figure on the island, before sadly passing away in 2005.

To mark the 75th anniversary in 2020, Robert’s family had planned to travel to Guernsey to mark the occasion, but their plans were sunk when the pandemic hit.

Robert’s three children Martin Shaw, brother Bob and sister Mary Currie, alongside grandchildren Rosemary Shaw and Lauren Currie finally made the pilgrimage earlier this month.

Mary, who is a well-known face around Millport, says finally getting to visit the beach where her dad landed all those years ago was a special moment.

She said: “I’d always wanted to go and be part of the celebrations because they still mark it every year, and I wanted to see the spot for myself after all the stories my dad used to tell me.

“It’s amazing to think that the people of Guernsey still celebrate the fact they were liberated 77 years on."

The family were guests of honour at the celebrations, which involved a parade of old military vehicles from the Guernsey Military Vehicle Group - and a couple of Royal guests.

Mary explained: “Every year they hold a massive parade and we were invited to be part of it in the actual vehicles.

“All the streets were lined with people and there were flags and bunting up everywhere.

“We went to a marina and Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, were there.

“I was in tears all day, it was incredible to spend time at the beach where my dad came ashore 77 years ago.”

Sgt-Major Shaw, who was a mechanical engineer by trade, was tasked with making sure the roads were clear as well as taking charge of the workshops from the German civilians who stayed behind.

Mary recalls a fascinating story her dad told her as a child of his first moments on the island, before a chance occurrence years later led to a lifelong friendship.

She said: “During the German occupation of Guernsey, they were all told to drive on the right but when my dad came off the boats he was scouting a path on the left side like we drive in the UK.

“He came across a little boy cycling on the right side of the road and my dad told him to get onto the other side so he didn’t get run over by the trucks of soldiers coming through.

“Years later the same guy, now all grown up, saw a story about my parents visiting the island and he went to their hotel to meet them.

“They became firm friends and they actually visited my parents in Millport a few times before my dad passed away.”

Sgt-Major Shaw served in Plymouth for most of his time in the army where he met his wife, before moving to Millport.

He opened up a laundrette in Cardiff Street to keep busy in retirement before sadly passing away.