Chris Oliver

Silver Accredited Guide

Contact	+44 (0) 7781 100502
Email	chris@lesemrais.com
Website	lesemrais.com

Specialist Services

Private car tours

Services

Bespoke Crafted Tours / Walking Tours / Private Vehicle Drives / Coach Tours / Motor Cycle Group Drives

About

Chris has been guiding in Europe for over twenty years, with a background in Film and Television as onscreen presenter, director and producer he also made programs for BBC & Independent Television & Radio, including ‘Time Team’ and ‘Walking Through History’. His personal interests include Military History though the ages. However he is most especially often asked to create bespoke tours (and lectures) aligned to special interest groups or family history.

Chris also offers aportfolio of illustrated tours reach everyone’s tastes:

The Churches of Guernsey (Differences of Island Worship through the Ages)
Ages of Fortifications (Defences : English, French and German)
Lord De Saumarez (Nelson’s Fighting Deputy)
Victor Hugo : (His Life, Times & Writing. A Benifactor in Excile)
Pierre Auguste Renoir : (One Summer, Our Guernsey, His Pictures)
World War One : (Britains only French Speaking Regiment)
World War Two : (From Occupation to Fortfications to Liberation)
Film & Television : (Sea Devils 1953, Blockhouse 1973, Story of Adele H. 1975, Enemy at the Door 1978, Howards Way 1980, Bergerac 1981, Potato Peel Society 2018)
Family History : (Bespoke Walks with Research Done)
Sark & Herm : (Occupation & Liberation)
The Foodie Tour : (Eat your way through St Peter Port)

Liberation Day – Hour By Hour

Be there on Guernsey’s First Liberation Day on 9th May 1945. Relive those moments in a blow by blow, minute by minute account of freedom, after five long years of Nazi German Occupation.

Discover the players, from the fanatic German Commandant to the no nonsense British Brigadier. Was it true? It nearly didn’t happen? Was there really a bold plan to take the islands by force if the Occupiers resisted? What would have happened.

Follow the trail of those men who were first ashore, listen to the King’s proclamation on the steps it was first delivered. See how St Peter Port was full that morning, everyone waiting with baited breath as the ships sat outside the harbour. Hear the stories of names that would become local legends - Force 135, Operation Nest Egg and of course how to get ashore the smallest landing party of all called ‘Operation Omelette’.

Guernsey’s Finest Hour

In France the islanders were paying a bitter price for holding the line alone in hand-to-hand combat. At home, just before Christmas, the telegrams started to arrive.

Who were the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry that earnt the title “Guernsey’ Finest Hour”? Walk in their footsteps. Learn the impact of the only French speaking British Army Regiment who stopped the largest German attack of the Great War. Discover the stories behind a Victoria Cross and multiple other honours won in just three days.

Hosted by the RGLI President this walk has access to materials, artifacts and places not normally available. Discover the spirit of Guernsey during the First World War, the jubilation of Departure and the soberness of Return.

There is an optional additional guided tour of the RGLI Regimental Museum, Castle Cornet at the end. (Participants will be required to pay their own museum entry fee).