Friendship Visit to Guernsey - St Helier and St Peter Port

 

13th June 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of our members, Nigel Blake, had a gem of an idea.  Perhaps the 1781 Militia should invade Guernsey in friendship.  This came to fruition on Saturday 13th June 2009.  On a wonderful calm sea on a  Saturday morning the 1781 Jersey Militia set sail aboard the Condor Ferry bound for Guernsey.  We sailed into a St Peter Port set alight by the sun and a smooth docking.  A short pace away Jason Monaghan, Guernsey's Heritage Director had arranged a parking space for our van which was full of our equipment, to park by the Information Centre.  The Militiamen gathered their muskets and accoutrements together and with the King's Colour flying and drums a beating we marched up the Pollet, through the High Street and up into the Market Square.  There the two Constables of St Peter Port and St Helier, Mrs Jenny Tasker and Simon Crowcroft exchanged gifts and speeches of Friendship. 

 

 

        

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From there the group, including camp followers, marched to Moore's Hotel for lunch.  St Peter Port's cobbled streets were hard on the feet and especially on those with hobnail boots, but all prevailed and after lunch the Militia marched to Castle Cornet to give musket firing demonstrations on the Musket Steps to a welcoming public.  Our spokesman, Kevin Lees, ably explained the history of the Jersey Militia in 1781 and the workings of a Brown Bess Musket.  Ian Kearns displayed his Redcoat skill of safely firing three rounds in one minute, a requirement of all infantry soldiers in preparation for battle.  The musket fire gave an impressive resounding echo across the bay of St Peter Port.  The afternoon ended with a feu de joie in a salute to Guernsey.  Our thanks go to Jason Monaghan and his team, the  Guernsey Policeman, who was our guide for the day, Condor Ferries and Mitch Couriard, MBE, and his team for their kind assistance in making the day go so well. 

 

We retired to a local hostelry to await our return trip on the ferry and discussed the highlights of the day.

 

Sue Mould kindly became cameraman for the day and we are grateful to her for taking some fine photographs.

 

 

 

 

 

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