My father spent VE Day 1945 aboard the destroyer HMS Bulldog in the English Channel on a mission to German occupied Guernsey. As the German government had not officially sanctioned the surrender of the Channel Islands commander, Admiral Hoffmeier, refused the capitulation of the Islands until the early hours of 9th May 1945.

The surrender was completed aboard HMS  Bulldog by senior German officers.  Arrangements for the orderly transition of control were made and soon the British advance party were ashore and the Union Flag was hoisted. After almost five years of enemy occupation and hardship the celebrations could begin, to be followed several hours later on Jersey.

However, as Bulldog was anchored offshore, fishing boats came out to the ship to ask for food, as people were starving. All the food onboard was lowered to the fishermen, who were on their honour to share the supplies.  The crew of Bulldog had nothing to eat until they returned to England later that day.