Robert showed a PC32 Red Cross form from Harry Pugh to his wife.
Harry was aged 40 when the Occupation began, having joined the police force in 1927. His wife and two children had evacuated to the Leeds area.
Harry’s regular beat was around the harbour area, and he was on duty immediately prior to the Occupation when he saw four people, one from the RAF and one other military man and two civilians leap from the jetty onto the SS Courier bound for Plymouth. They were probably the last personnel to leave the island.
In 1941 Harry was reported to the States by the Occupying body for failing to salute a German officer, for which he was fined 2/6d. He paid the fine but was reimbursed by the States.
In 1942, as an agent of the States, he was fully funded for total dental clearance. Mr Godfrey of Victoria Road, the dentist, removed the top teeth, but was then deported to Southern Germany, so Harry waited until Liberation to have the lower teeth removed.
Harry applied to be a sergeant and despite being described as ”not showing any potential appetite or keenness for police work” he was given the post as Acting Sergeant.
The role allowed him to have stripes on his right arm only – his colleagues noted that he wore his cape covering his left arm! In 1942 he was present when bodies from HMS Charybdis were washed ashore after being sunk by torpedo boats.
He was not one of the 18 policemen arrested, found guilty and deported for stealing food in 1942.
Harry was on duty on 27 December 1944 when the Red Cross relief ship SS Vega was sighted moving towards the harbour.
