'He liberated my family, he should be remembered'

The final resting place of "an incredibly important figure in British World War Two history" has been discovered by a campaign group.

Brig Alfred Snow, who was born in Bristol, was the senior British officer responsible for the liberation of the Channel Islands in 1945.

The British Channel Islands WWII Remembrance Campaign said in later life, he lived in Winsford, Somerset and was cremated at Taunton Crematorium after his death. The group is now exploring ways to commemorate Brig Snow's contribution.

Kev South, from the group, said: "There is a debt of gratitude for what he did and what his forces did with the liberation of my family."

Brig Snow commanded Force 135, the British and Commonwealth formation tasked with liberating Jersey and Guernsey in May 1945 after almost five years of German occupation.

He was among the senior British officers involved in accepting the German surrender in the Channel Islands and appointed by King George VI as Military Governor to oversee the restoration of the British administration.

"There are no parks or streets of plaques or anything really to him at all," South said.

"His memory has been forgotten, and that's why we have done what we have done today. To try to raise awareness of the importance of this gentleman."

The location of the brigadier's final resting place remained unknown for many years.

He lived in Winsford after leaving military service.

Following enquiries with Somerset Council and Taunton Crematorium, the remembrance group discovered he died in 1983 at the age of 85. His ashes were scattered within the Garden of Rest.

A spokesperson for Somerset Council, which manages the crematorium, said no memorials are allowed on the lawn.

"Some families purchase a granite memorial block which goes around the edge of the lawn area in the closest available space to their loved ones," they added.

South added: "It is remarkable that a man entrusted with overseeing one of Britain's final acts of liberation in the Second World War rests in a communal remembrance garden in Somerset," South said.

"We hope this discovery helps ensure his service and contribution to British history receive the recognition they deserve."

Mark Lamerton, a Channel Islands liberation historian, said Brig Snow also served in World War One and continued his military service after that.

He said the Channel Islands celebrate their liberation every year on 9 May, with thanksgiving services, re-enactments, music festivals and exhibitions. He said the brigadier was even featured on a stamp in Guernsey.

"There may not be a statue of the brigadier, but there are numerous memorials commemorating the liberation," he said.

"If his last resting place is in Somerset, then perhaps there should be a memorial to him there."

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