2007 Events so far
226th Anniversary of The Battle of Jersey - 6th January 2007
The anniversary fell on a Saturday this year and two Parish Constables were kind enough to request our presence at two events commemorating the Battle.
Grouville
At Grouville Church, the Parish Rector, the Revd. Mike Lange-Smith held a short service and a minute's silence prevailed at 11 a.m. in honour of those who died defending the island as they engaged the French rear guard at their landing site. Three volleys of musket fire ended the event. Some of our camp followers gave extra atmosphere. We thank the Constable of the parish for his enthusiastic promotion and publicity for this event.
St. Helier
Walkers guided by Frank Falle followed the path taken by the French troops when they landed under the command of Baron de Rullecourt. When they reached Snow Hill the 1781 Jersey Militia with their drummer and camp followers led the walkers into Royal Square at 11.55 a.m. After a volley of musket fire Frank Falle and Paul Nicolle described the scene in Royal Square on 6th January 1781 illustrated by a copy of the well known painting "The Death of Major Peirson" by the celebrated American artist J. Singleton Copley. The weather could have been better but we were grateful the rain did not last too long.
The event in Royal Square ended with two further musket volleys and the group marched from the Square, through King Street with bayonets fixed to the Town Hall, making a guard of honour for the Dean, Constable Simon Crowcroft and the walkers to enter the Town Hall for luncheon. An excellent lunch was provided by parish volunteers. The Militia retired late afternoon for a further glass of wine in one of the oldest granite buildings in St Helier built some years before the Battle.
21st April - 21 Gun salute - The Queen's birthday
The Queen's 81st birthday and 21 shots, plus a volley with 6 cannons, went very well. There was no wind to speak of and the smoke hung just in front of the cannon. A small crowd of the general public assembled and then we took the annual group photo. We nearly had more photographers than Militia. All that said, this is one event we do for us and we enjoyed it immensely.
George Arnold and Dave Dorgan discuss the start of the salute as the crew prepare the guns.
Salisbury - 19th May 2007
This was the first time more than two of the 1781
Jersey Militia had ventured out of the island. Eight members made
preparation to visit the Salisbury event at the Wardrobe
http://www.thewardrobe.org.uk to
help recreate the Battle of Brandywine
http://www.ushistory.org/brandywine/brandywine.htm.
However fog in the island caused cancellation of
flights for two members and that left six members to attend. Heading
up the bill at the event were The Crown Forces supported by The Queens
Rangers and Shrapnel's Battery. We mustered in with Shrapnel's Battery
both with Cannon firing and infantry support whilst Polly demonstrated her lace making skills. We must thank John Boshier for his
enormous help by providing muskets and powder to our infantry. We
were unable to take our own due to an administrative miscalculation.
We also received a warm welcome from both Colin Adams of the Crown Forces and
Michael Butterfield of the Queens Rangers. The event was all day. It began at 10.00 am and finished about 8.30 pm. Tactical demonstrations continued throughout the
day interspersed by cannon demonstrations. Our own Corporal Lees
entertained the crowd with his knowledge and led them through every step of
the loading and firing procedures. By the evening the crowd
was very thin so the Militia and friends had a late supper and off to bed for a
5.30 am drive to the boat back to Jersey. The whole trip was deemed to be a
success and was enjoyed by all and I am sure will be repeated.
John Boshier Michael Butterfield & Colin Adams
Pat & Dave Dorgan Marie from the US
Shrapnel's
Battery
Steve & Cliff Daryn, Paul and Ian
Paul, Ian, Kevin Hamptonne, St Lawrence - Sunday 27th May 2007 Due to a last minute change in our calendar the Militia was at
home in it's Parish of St Lawrence at Hamptonne Country Farm Museum. Despite the occasional heavy shower of
rain the Militia demonstrated their muskets and drill to good effect. The
ladies showed off their skills with lace making and the housewife's duties and
tasks. Our Colonel made his first appearance, as did a militia man in his
civilian clothing. As you will have guessed when the rain came the houses filled
with visitors and Militia alike. The atmosphere was terrific, the fire
wonderful and was enjoyed by all.
Mistress Underwood with Miss Hamon
Terry Underwood
The fire was most welcome
The Militia at rest and at drill HRH
The Queen's Official Birthday - Government House, Jersey
Friday 15th June 2007 Each year an invitation
is extended to all islanders to attend a garden party in honour of Her
Majesty. This year the Island's Governor, Lieutenant General Andrew Ridgway, added extra colour by inviting the 1781 Jersey Militia to fire a 21 gun
salute at his official residence in St. Saviour. Proceedings began with
Scottish pipers heralded by a fanfare and followed by an address by His
Excellency. Another fanfare signalled the beginning of the 21 gun salute
which went very well. Applause from the guests afterwards continued when clearing the six cannons from the lawn immediately
afterwards for the Band of the Island of Jersey was done in record time. The bad weather cleared to brilliant
sunshine just before the event and held until the last of the guests were
leaving.
Elizabeth Castle - Sunday 17th June 2007 Numbers were sadly a little depleted when attending our first
Elizabeth Castle event so very close to the Government House event.
However, those of us who were able to get there enjoyed the day. Castle
Reception reported there were many telephone enquiries about the event from
those who had heard the radio announcements and a good number of the public
attended in the morning. Aquaduck problems and the rain after lunch saw the
public drift away after the early afternoon show and an early return to the main
island by minibus to take advantage of the low tide was required.
Elizabeth Castle - Sunday 22nd July 2007 One of the rare beautiful summer days this year was enjoyed
at Elizabeth Castle today. The castle was surrounded by the tide for most of
the day and with only a light wind the smoke from the four cannon hung in the air.
There were good crowds who enjoyed the demonstrations of the 1764 drill and the
firing of three rounds in a minute from the muskets. Our new Sutler's tent was put up for the first time and used
by Mistress Underwood for her talks as an 18th century Surgeon's Assistant.
Nell made sweet smelling lavender bags, and Polly, wearing her new quaker's cap
which she said gave her a Mother Hubbard appearance, did her lacemaking in the
Militia Museum.
9th September
2007 - Greve de L'Ecq Barracks Usually this event attracts a good turn out from Militia
members,
but due to various circumstances it was left to just four stalwarts to hold the
fort. It was a marvellous sunny day during what has been a poor summer and the
Barracks had a good flow of visitors all day. We are grateful to Jenny and Terry, who organised the event.
Jenny and Terry demonstrated the surgeon's kit whilst Paul
and Chris entertained the crowds with musket demonstrations. Chris, at one
time, was drilling a visiting group of scouts much to amusement of the crowd.
It was a good day and enjoyed by all.
Elizabeth Castle - Sunday 23rd September 2007 Great crowds and lovely people with an event that just was
very enjoyable. That just about summed up our last visit of the season to the castle.
In the morning we had lots of sunshine and then about the middle of the
afternoon the clouds were upon us and as we crossed to the island by ferry the
rain began to arrive but that didn't spoil our day. Perhaps because it was our
last visit of the year we had a good turn out and everyone enjoyed themselves.
Click on square to
view video Poppy Appeal 10th November 2007 The Farmers' Inn held their annual Guy Fawke's
celebration on Monday 5h November and members of the 1781 Jersey Militia started
it with a cannonade from two cannons. The Farmers' kindly made a donation
to the Poppy Appeal from the night's proceedings.
Laurie Mould of the Royal British Legion makes sure that all is going well
outside the window of Pearce the Jewellers
The Militia in action Militia Christmas Dinner - 15th December - Mermaid Inn Once again the venue for this year's dinner was the18th century Mermaid Tavern. It was a
terrific evening which both members and their guests
enjoyed. Heaps of food, great company and copious amounts of wine all held in candlelight.
The table this year was a narrow affair which we had thought would not be very
good, but were we wrong - it turned out to be better than ever with everybody
being able to talk to each other across the table as well as to those beside
them. A happy Christmas and enjoyable re-enacting in 2008.
