Guernsey is marking the 80th anniversary of the International Red Cross SS Vega first visiting the island in December 1944.

It added: "Tomorrow we get our Red Cross parcels, they are very welcome. "Now old dears. I must wind up. At nine o'clock the King speaks, and after that we are going next door for a glass of wine ...

The Prisoners of War Department was responsible for packing and dispatching parcels to British prisoners of war. British Red Cross food parcels played a vital role in helping to keep prisoners alive.

In the letter, Mr Rondel wrote of the lack of food, people starving to death and how the International Red Cross ship the SS Vega saved islanders' lives with food parcels in December 1944.

SS Vega brought Red Cross food parcels for the civilians in the islands after the occupying German forces were cut off from the continent following D-Day. The new model ship will be towed in the ...