On parade
Marching over the moat bridge
Young Guiton
2002 Events so far
31 March - Elizabeth Castle
This year's first visit to Elizabeth Castle was a disaster. It was a 37ft. tide which meant that the DUWKs were unable to negotiate the plus force 3 wind until the tide went down. We cancelled although one or two of the crew did go out later in the day and one of them spent most of it chasing his cocked hat around the parade ground.
Not deterred, we all went out the following weekend to practice for a forthcoming 21 gun salute for the Queen's Golden Jubilee. All was going wonderfully well, if only we could count, as we just seemed to keep firing until someone said "Have we done 21". "No", came the reply "we've done 27".
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| 6 pounder just going off before the powder's ignited | Paul Jasper standing guard | Gunners Crone and Alexandre
discuss finer points
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On parade |
Marching over the moat bridge |
Young Guiton
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| The distaff |
21 Gun Salute - Queen's Golden Jubilee - 3rd June
We were honoured and delighted to celebrate with our fellow islanders the 50th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne. We were asked to do a 21 gun salute using our six muzzle loading cannon with a gap of 15 seconds between rounds. Perched on the heights of West Mount. we were just a couple of hundred meters from Major Pierson's morning encampment of January 6th 1781 from which he led his assault on the French invading troops to defeat them in the Royal Square at what has become known as The Battle of Jersey.
We were grateful for the help of the modern Jersey TA Unit who carried our cannon up the various slopes and steps to reach our position and even more grateful when the took them down again.
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We had practised twice for the occasion and all had gone well so we were reasonably confident we could achieve this very high profile event. We were due to fire at 11.55 but it became clear that the parade was running well ahead of schedule and so our time keeper, George Arnold, gave the order to loan in preparation for an early kick-off. We had no sooner loaded than we were directed to open fire. Four minutes and 45 seconds of pounder, smoke and flame erupted from the position with loud booms echoing across the park and the town of St Helier. We completed the task and were all slightly relieved to have done so. It had certainly been an honour and we had probably fired the first 21 gun salute using muzzle loading cannon since 1935 when the Grand Battery of Elizabeth Castle fired. (The Grand Battery cannon were salvaged by the Germans for its metal during WW2).
9th June - Elizabeth Castle
We had a poor showing for this visit to the Castle due to the weather which has treated us very badly this year. In fact, as all four of us were standing by the DUWK we wondered whether given the poor weather and driving rain we should show out at all. It wasn't until a chap doing a book on Jersey said he wanted to see the signal gun fired that we thought, oh well, here we go. We reached the Castle and it started to rain. I've never stood in a sentry box before with rain dripping of my bayonet and down my sleeve, but at least most of me was dry. Come 12 noon we all marched up to the signal gun. The Guardien dressed in his Royal Artillery uniform gave the order to load and fire the 9 lb cannon which we duly did to the photographer, his mate and three members of the public who, like us, were all soaking wet. Duty done, we retired at lunchtime for a return trip to home and I think most of the visitors at the Castle that morning came with us back to the main island to dry out. Still, a good day nevertheless.
31st August - St Clement's Fete at Le Hocq
A good crowd for this years Fete with three of our cannons on show. Some of the club officials were arrested at bayonet point and marched, led by a drummer, to the firing point where they fired the guns to announce the opening of the Fete.
Opening the St Clement's Fete and Callum Alexander taking a nap (Jersey Evening Post copyright)
14 September - Le Vier Marche ( The old Market) - Battle of Britain Fete
Firing on the hour Most of those who made it on the day
The second time we have attended this event which is in aid of the Royal Air Force "Wings appeal". We had two cannons in use with a lot of interest shown from those that came to watch.
29 September - The 150th Anniversary of Victoria College
A fifteen gun salute was the order for the day, and to finish a five gun ripple. We fired using five cannon from the College lawn which over looks the Town of St Helier. It all went without a hitch and was much appreciated by the 800 or so guest
The guns fire with Victoria College in the background
Roger takes a break and Kevin talks to some College lads
3rd November - Elizabeth Castle
The last visit of the season to the Castle is always tinge with mixed feelings. Sad to see the season end but good fun on the last outing- even the visitors pick up the mood. We had a fair crowd out to see us and despite a torrential down pour just before the cannon display and a force 5 wind, thankfully in the right direction it all went well.
The wives tidy up The Militia march out See you next year
14th December - Mermaid Tavern
The Battalion held its Christmas dinner at the18th century Mermaid Tavern. It was a splendid evening which both members and their guests enjoyed. Period songs were sung, suckling pig, whole chickens and lamb with roast parsnips was served. Indeed a wonderful occasion which I am sure will be repeated.
The suckling pig being served Dave & Sue Wood The long table with members and guests
(the evening's organisers)
This site was updated on the 29th December 2002
e-mail dale@itl.net
