Royal Militia of the Island of Jersey
Royal Militia of the Island of Jersey | |
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St Helier (present day). | |
Battle honours | Battle of Jersey 1781 The Great War 1914–1918. |
Formed in 1337, the Royal Militia of the Island of Jersey can claim to be the oldest sub-unit of the British Army,[1] although, because it is not a regiment, and was disbanded for decades in the late 20th century, it is not the most senior.
History
A militia force was organised in accordance with the order on 24 July 1203 of King John to provide a "sufficiency of men and money to defend the Island from the enemy".[2] In 1214 Eustace the Monk, a pirate, based in Sark arrived under orders from the King of France to harry the Channel Islands. In Guernsey Eustace met a newly raised and locally armed defence force comprising the whole manhood of the Island. This could be considered to be a militia. Jersey would almost certainly have made the same preparations.[3]
In 1336, the exiled King David II of Scotland, from his base in France, raided the island of Jersey.[4] The following year, in response to the threat of a repeat of this incursion, King Edward III ordered Thomas de Ferrers, Warden of the Isles, to levy and equip a militia of "all men capable of bearing arms, and to form them into companies of thousands, hundreds and twenties, and to lead them well-armed and arrayed for the defence of the islands".[5][6][7][8] This created an organised, compulsory, and unpaid Island militia.
Jersey was invaded by French troops in 1461. They were supporters of the
In 1545, the Jersey Militia consisted of 12 parochial bands, many of which were called into action in 1549 when a force of French pirates, who had captured Sark as a base for their activities landed at Bouley Bay, advancing inland they met the militia who defeated them and driving them back down to the beach, killing up to a thousand in pursuit.[9]: 61–2 In 1555 Parish Companies were ordered to practice every Sunday, weather permitting, firing Arquebus, Bow and arrow and Crossbow.[3]
17th Century
A review undertaken in 1617 showed over 3,000 men, although their arms were defective, with only 12 pikes between them, few muskets, and many were armed with just staves.[9]: 407 In 1622 they were organized into three regiments, the North, West and East. The use of the title Colonel for the officer in charge of a regiment appears around 1620, prior to this the commander was called a Captain.[9]: 405
During the English Civil War, the Militia had divided loyalties, initially in March 1643 marching on St. Helier to support the arrest of Philippe de Carteret (the Royalist Governor and Bailiff). However, by the end of the year, they rallied to the Royalist cause with the arrival of George Carteret on the Island. The parliamentary supporters were imprisoned or forced to leave the Island and having their property confiscated.
In October 1651
The militia was reorganized and uniformed in
18th Century
Around 1730, the militia was divided into five regiments, based on the
On 1 May 1779, a
The invasion was attempted again but the protecting fleet was intercepted and nearly annihilated. A third attempt managed to get most men ashore undetected on the night of 5 January 1781. Several ships were wrecked losing around 200 men. Marching to St. Helier, the French arrived before dawn, taking the Governor prisoner. Messages were sent to alert the Island Regiments and the Militia who mustered outside the town.[9]: 469–72 The Militia, displaying enthusiastic loyalty, fought alongside Regiments of the regular British Army at the Battle of Jersey, when together they defeated an attempted French invasion (intended to remove the threat the island posed to American shipping in the American Revolutionary War).[14] 50 regulars and 30 militia were casualties, very few of the French force escaped.[9]: 473
On 28 May 1778 the
Discontent amongst Methodist militia troopers during the 1780s and 1790s about having to parade on a Sunday was eventually listened to, with the Privy Council agreeing to allow Methodists to drill on weekdays.[3]
19th Century
Three Martello towers were built, 1808 Portlet, 1811 Icho, La Tour de Vinde was completed in 1814 they were built to aid defence of possible landing places.
In 1831, the Militia was designated the Royal Jersey Militia on the 50th anniversary of this battle.[9]: 407 The facings on uniforms were changed from buff to blue.[3] In 1837 there were five regiments, formed into six battalions, each with a company of artillery. Every resident from 19 to 65 bears arms with 16- to 18-year-olds being trained weekly. The whole militia is unpaid.[9]: 407 The regiments were re-organized on several occasions between 1870, when the Troop of Dragoons was disbanded, and the end of the century.
Four more Martello towers were built 1835 Lewis, 1834 Kempt, 1837 Victoria and La Collette to further improve Island defences.
In 1844 Arsenals were built in each parish, which enabled the artillery to be relocated from the Parish Churches.[3]
In 1881 under General Order No 130, the 1st (West), 2nd (East) and 3rd (South) Regiments were permitted the honour of ‘Jersey 1781' [3]
A minor mutiny occurred in 1891 at a parade when men in the West Regiment objected to where they were to stand, calling out "N'Bouogi Pas!". A small number of the ringleaders were found guilty, spent a few days in the prison and were then treated to a meal out in the town by their comrades.[16]
20th Century
In 1905 the militia came under the Army Act and was reorganised to create a regiment of artillery comprising two field and two garrison companies. An engineer company, a medical company and three battalions of infantry.[3]
In 1915, one company was detached to the 7th (Service) Battalion, the
The Militia was reconstituted in 1921 as one infantry battalion, the Royal Militia of the Island of Jersey.
In
Modern
In 1987, it was re-formed as a
Battle honours
The regiment was awarded the following battle honours.
- Jersey 1781[3]
- The Great War 1914–1918[18]
Both these honours are unique to the regiment.
See also
References
- ^ T.F. Mills What is the Oldest/Senior Regiment in the British Army? (Archive of the Regiments.org page)
- ^ "Royal Guernsey Militia a Regimental History". Jersey Militia.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j CHANNEL ISLANDS GREAT WAR STUDY GROUP. CIGWSG Journal 2.
- ^ Duncan, Jonathan. The History of Guernsey with Occasional Notices of Jersey, Alderney and Sark ... Longmann, 1841. p. 563.
- ^ Royal Jersey Militia ROYAL JERSEY MILITIA REGIMENTAL HISTORY
- ^ T.F. Mills Royal Militia of the Island of Jersey (Archive of Regiments.org page)
- ^ This is Jersey David Bruce[usurped]
- ^ Guernsey Society Thomas de Ferrers
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Falla, Philip. An Account of the Island of Jersey: With an Appendix of Records, &c. R Giffard 1837.
- ^ Jersey Heritage The History of the Jersey Militia
- ^ a b c "Jersey & the Channel Isles". BCW Project.
- ISBN 9789004300453.
- ^ "No. 11976". The London Gazette. 4 May 1779. pp. 2–3.
- ^ Monmouth Castle Museum The Royal Jersey Militia Archived July 13, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Seymour Tower Conservation Statement" (PDF). Jersey Heritage. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
- ^ "A Mutiny in Jèrriais". Societe Jersiaise.
- ^ The Long, Long Trail The Royal Militia of the Island of Jersey
- ^ a b "The Royal Militia of the Island of Jersey".
- ^ "Blanches Banques POW Camp". Visit Jersey. 15 March 2021.
- ^ "Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia)". Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
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