Families Seek Royal Pardon for Guernsey Police Convicted During WWII Occupation

The daughter of a Guernsey police officer, who was found guilty during the World War Two Occupation for taking items from the German military, has requested a royal pardon from King Charles. Sergeant Fred Duquemin, one of 17 officers convicted of “Robin Hood” thefts—actions involving the appropriation of food to sustain starving islanders—faced proceedings in the local Royal Court. The majority of these officers were subsequently incarcerated or dispatched to labour camps. In 2021, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq expressed that he was “very hopeful” that the States would be in a position to implement a statutory pardon for these officers. However, the Policy and Resources Committee (P&R) rejected this possibility last month, stating that “a conciliatory statement” would instead be issued as part of the 80th anniversary commemorations of the island’s Liberation Day. The term “Robin Hood” was used to draw a parallel with the legendary English outlaw known for appropriating from the affluent to assist the disadvantaged. Rose Short, Sergeant Duquemin’s daughter, stated that her father faced accusations of stealing “a packet of sugar and a jar of coffee” from the German military’s supply depots. For several decades, she has been pursuing a pardon for her father from Guernsey’s authorities, asserting: “This should have been sorted way back in the 1940s.” She added: “We’re coming up to the 80th anniversary of Liberation and we would like a pardon from King Charles.” The Royal Prerogative of Mercy has been in use for centuries. This prerogative does not nullify a conviction—a power exclusively held by the courts—but rather lessens or eliminates the repercussions stemming from a conviction for an offense. In the context of the Channel Islands, the UK’s secretary of state for justice holds the responsibility for endorsing its application. Mrs Short recounted that her father was interrogated by German forces, but he “only confessed to things the Germans already knew.” She further stated: “He never gave anybody’s name voluntarily.” “They were beaten, kicked, lied to and some of them were even threatened that if they didn’t sign the papers that their wives and children would be brought in and treated the same.” Ultimately, the men affixed their signatures to documents drafted in German, admitting to the offenses, and this evidence was subsequently employed against them during their trials. Sixteen of the police officers were dispatched to correctional facilities and forced labour camps. Upon their return home at the conclusion of World War Two, some of these men were afflicted with severe illnesses and sustained permanent injuries. Despite this, they were regarded as criminals and were refused reinstatement to the police force and their pension entitlements. Jenna Holloway expressed her “frustrated” sentiment regarding the ongoing wait for a pardon for her great-grandfather, William Quin. Mr. Quin was apprehended for appropriating food and attempting to disrupt the German forces. Subsequently, he was deported to France and Germany, where he endured hard labour. His great-granddaughter commented: “These policemen were doing everything they can to try and help the islanders and try to cause disruption to the Germans.” Mr. Quin’s arrest occurred in 1942, followed by his deportation to France and subsequent transfer to Germany. Following the war, the police officers eventually returned to Guernsey. Mrs. Holloway stated: “When they came back to Guernsey, they lost their jobs, they lost their pensions; they lost the respect of the community. “There was a lot of Nazi propaganda at the time making them out to be the bad guys and, sadly, some of that has followed through to today.” Keith Friend’s father, Charles, faced charges in Guernsey’s Royal Court for the theft of four tins of tomatoes. Mr. Friend recounted: “My father said he was told to plead guilty and co-operate and everything would be sorted out after the war.” He added: “One of the things my father did say was it’s surprising what you will sign with a loaded gun to your head.” Mr. Friend further stated: “They were threatened with, if you don’t plead guilty in the Royal Court, you will go to the military court where the sentence when they were found guilty would be death.” Mr. Friend holds the view that the historical context of these offenses is currently being “overlooked.” He elaborated: “The seventeen police officers didn’t think they were doing anything wrong. “They were feeding hungry people and getting up the Germans noses, they weren’t ‘stealing’ for their own benefit.” Deputy Peter Ferbrache, who also practices as a lawyer, expressed astonishment that the P&R committee had altered its position regarding the issuance of an official pardon. He commented: “The confessions were beaten out of these men. I know that a theft is still a crime but, if you had a modern case and a confession was beaten out of a defendant, that confession wouldn’t be allowed.” Deputy Ferbrache continued: “They clearly were ill treated by the German tribunals. The trial in the Royal Court was a disgrace.” Deputy Ferbrache, who served as the President of P&R from October 2020 to December 2023 and possessed the authority to advance efforts concerning potential pardons, indicated that a lack of “resources” impeded the process. He conceded he was “sad that it’s apparently not going to happen now.” For updates, follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Story suggestions can be sent to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.