On this day in 1934
Under-defended Jersey mulls conscription
Six years before it was invaded and occupied during the Second World War, Jersey’s authorities recognised that the island was dangerously under-defended.
As reported in the Belfast Telegraph, “The Jersey States Defence of Island Committee has been considering a report by a competent military authority that the island’s militia is at present ineffective. Drastic alterations are urged. It is suggested that the island should return to conscription or else pay Britain for the services of a battalion.”
Jersey had maintained its own voluntary militia since the British government stopped funding a professional force on the island in 1928.
Yesterday…
BBC broadcasts the first episode of Bergerac
The BBC’s Jersey-set police drama, Bergerac, produced in association with Australia’s Seven Network, followed Jim Bergerac of the fictional Bureau des Etrangers. With 87 episodes across nine series, including six Christmas specials, it ran until boxing day 1991.
Thomas Waite is buried at St Saviour
Thomas Waite, Member of Parliament for Rutland, was one of the 59 men who sat as judges at the trial of King Charles I, which convicted the king and sentenced him to death. Waite’s signature was on the death warrant.
Tomorrow…
Hitler orders the Channel Islands’ fortification
Hitler ordered that the islands be fortified as part of his plans for an Atlantic Wall. The defences would therefore include between 200 and 250 strongpoints on each of the larger islands
Parliamentarians land at St Ouen’s Bay
Jersey was strongly in favour of the monarch during the English Civil War, which led to an invasion by 84 ships, that landed 3000 Parliamentarian forces at St Ouen’s Bay.
