Maurice Dubras

Maurice Dubras

DOB 26/05/39

Maurice and his brother Michael attended together. Their combined recollections were probably some of the most powerful we heard in term of the detail provided, they were certainly amongst the most emotional.

Maurice would often defer to his older brother, Michael being 5 years older, but they share a common history. Michael had written down some of his memories and carried his material in a weathered briefcase.

They had both lived above their father's shop in King Street. From this wonderful eerie they had observed the comings and goings of life under an occupation.

Their father, previously a member of the Free French, his uniform carefully hidden, still moved between France and Jersey helping organise the supplies that could be provided.

Maurice related the story that for years as he grew up the radio had been kept hidden from his sight. They had two radio's hidden away. One day it was felt he was old enough to listen in. It was music, Glenn Miller, he'd never forgotten. So thrilled with this new discovery he barrelled down the house into a room full of adults to share his joy. Everyone turned with frightened faces, shushed him silent and told him he could never speak of it. He was sworn to secrecy like so many must have been.

In the retelling of that story, we heard the heard the music, we felt the power of fear everyone must have felt.

On the photograph shown below Maurice commented, "I have no idea why I'm dressed like a jockey. I think it was to pull my father's leg."

He also recounted the story of hearing of a bomber crashing at La Rocque over a Sunday lunch, "I said "the poor bleeders!". I got a right telling off for that."