27th July 1920
Author and actor Anthony Faramus is born
Anthony Faramus, who became an author and actor, was working as a hairdresser in St Helier when arrested in late 1940, a few months into the occupation. While incarcerated locally, he met Eddie Chapman, who was then on the run from the mainland police, and whose exploits as Zigzag, a double agent during the Second World War, were portrayed in the film Triple Cross.
There are several versions of Faramus’ wartime activities. In one version, he, Chapman and Douglas Stirling, had been desperate to leave Jersey despite the fact that there was no easy way to do so. Chapman suggested they turn traitor, and spy for Germany. As we now know, Chapman immediately reported to British authorities once back on the mainland and helped British intelligence feed false information to Germany.
The friends are split up
While Chapman was successful, Faramus was not. Both were transported to France, but while Chapman was trained in the art of spying, Faramus was sent to Buchenwald concentration camp, then Mauthausen, where inmates were routinely worked to death.
Remarkably, Faramus survived his time in the concentration camps and after the war found work as an extra in films. He documented his wartime experiences in the book, Journey into Darkness, and died in 1990.
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Other events that occured in July
Jersey power station opens for business
- The Jersey Electricity Company was established in St Helier in April 1924 and, in July the following year, it opened its first power station.
- Read more…
Jersey invader Philippe de Rullecourt is born
- Philippe de Rullecourt led and was killed in the French invasion of Jersey that later became known as the Battle of Jersey.
- Read more…
Island at War debuts on ITV
- Island at War took inspiration from events that occurred in both Guernsey and Jersey, but was set on a fictional stand-in, St Gregory.
- Read more…
Author Ellen Anne Hewett is born
- Ellen Hewett, born Ellen Baker, was just 12 when she emigrated from Jersey to New Zealand, along with the rest of her family.
- Read more…