Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

This ceremonial dagger has an elaborately etched blade, gold-plated guard and scabbard; its insignia include the imperial eagle and swastika. It was handed to Major John Clement, officer in charge of a party from Force 135, sent on 17th May 1945 to remove the German garrison of 270 men on Sark. The Occupation had begun on 3rd July 1940. The dagger's Nazi owner, Allest Obernaur, Naval Controller of Food, was particularly disliked by the Sarkese after years of hunger. Major Clement received the token of surrender at La Seigneurie, home of Sibyl Hathaway, Dame de Sercq. On 10th May 1985, 40th anniversary of Sark's official Liberation, he presented it to Seigneur Michael Beaumont, Dame Sibyl's grandson.