17th June 1940
General de Gaulle has lunch in Jersey while fleeing France
French statesman Charles de Gaulle spent the Second World War in Britain, from where he directed resistance fighters in his homeland. Understanding his importance, the RAF evacuated him from France on 17 June 1940, flying via Jersey where they stopped to refuel the de Havilland Dragon Rapide DH.89 that was carrying him. This allowed the General to get out, stretch his legs and eat lunch before continuing to the mainland and putting down at Heston, just outside London.
Other events tagged war
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Other events that occured in June
Princess Margaret visits Jersey
- Almost ten years to the day after her sister’s visit, Princess Margaret came to Jersey. It what was, quite literally, a flying visit.
- Read more…
The Jersey Evening Post is founded
- The Evening Post was founded by HP Butterworth, but was soon acquired by its printer, Walter Guiton, who became its editor.
- Read more…
Jersey sides with England, rather than France
- The Channel Islands occupied a curious political position straddling England and France for more than 130 years.
- Read more…
Building work starts on St Aubin on the Hill
- The Bishop of Guildford laid the foundation stone of St Aubin on the Hill, St Brelade’s Anglican church, on 4 June 1889.
- Read more…
