Victor Carey facts for kids

Sir Victor Gosselin Carey was born on July 2, 1871, in Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands. He held a very important job called the Bailiff of Guernsey from 1935 to 1946. The Bailiff is like the chief judge and the head of the government in Guernsey. Sir Victor came from one of Guernsey's oldest and most respected families. He became Bailiff in 1935 after the previous Bailiff, Arthur William Bell, passed away. Even though someone else would normally have taken the role, Sir Victor was chosen because the usual person, Ambrose Sherwill, had only just started his job.

Early Life and Education

Victor Gosselin Carey was born on July 2, 1871. His parents were de Vic Francis Carey and Harriet Mary Gosselin. He went to school at Elizabeth College from 1880 to 1883. Later, he attended Marlborough College from 1885 to 1887. He then studied law at Caen University in France from 1895 to 1897. On March 23, 1899, he married Adelaide Eleanor Jeffreys.

Leading Guernsey Before the War

From 1935 until the German forces arrived in Guernsey, Sir Victor worked as the Bailiff. In this role, he was in charge of both the Courts of Guernsey and the States of Guernsey. The States of Guernsey is like the island's parliament. The leaders of Guernsey, including the Bailiff, were told by the British government to work with the German occupiers. This was to help the people living on the island.

In June 1940, Sir Victor also helped organize the evacuation of about 17,000 children and adults to England. This happened just before the German occupation began.

During the German Occupation

The Nazi German occupation of the Channel Islands started on June 30, 1940. German authorities took control of Guernsey. Sir Victor was 69 years old when the occupation began. Because of his age, his powers as Bailiff were reduced. A special group called the Controlling Committee took over the daily running of the island. This committee was made up of members of the States of Guernsey. Ambrose Sherwill was the first chairman, and later Jurat John Leale took over.

Sir Victor remained an important leader. He would step in if the Controlling Committee faced big problems. He and the committee worked with the German commander to protect the people of Guernsey.

In 1941, the Germans ordered a count of all islanders. They also used old records to find out who was Jewish. Three Jewish people from Guernsey were sent to German-occupied France in April 1942. They were later taken to concentration camps and died in Auschwitz-Birkenau. After the war, a British report said that Guernsey officials did not protest against these actions.

Some people criticized Sir Victor's actions during the occupation. For example, a judge named Lord Justice du Parcq wrote a private note in 1945. He mentioned that some people in Guernsey were upset with the orders Sir Victor issued. These orders included using the words "enemy forces" to describe British and Allied troops. They also offered a reward for informing on people who wrote the "V sign" (a symbol of resistance). However, people who committed such small acts of resistance risked severe punishment for themselves and other innocent islanders. Also, the laws were passed by the States of Guernsey or the Controlling Committee, not just by the Bailiff.

While some books have criticized his role, most people in Guernsey still see Sir Victor as a respected figure. The British Government had ordered the leaders of the Channel Islands, including Sir Victor, to stay on their islands. Their job was to keep law and order and help the people. When the King's representatives left in June 1940, their duties to protect the islands were given to the Bailiffs.

However, for the Jewish people on the island, this duty of care changed. A law was passed on June 17, 1941. This law stopped Jewish people from running businesses in Guernsey. It also said that Jewish employees should be fired and replaced by non-Jewish workers.

After the War

After the war, there was some discussion about whether the Channel Island Bailiffs should receive awards. In 1945, Sir Victor's name was put forward for an honor. The British Prime Minister, Clement Attlee, asked for more information because there were mixed opinions. However, the Bailiffs of both Jersey and Guernsey were cleared of any accusations of being "Quislings" (collaborators). They were both given knighthoods in 1945 for their service to their country.

Victor Gosselin Carey received his Knighthood in December 1945. In 1946, Sir Victor retired as Bailiff at the age of 75. Ambrose Sherwill then took over his role. Sir Victor died on June 28, 1957, when he was 85 years old.

See also

• German occupation of the Channel Islands