18th February 1793

Jersey appoints its first postmaster

Charles William Le Geyt was Jersey’s first postmaster. His appointment had come without warning, and he required a certain amount of help finding his feet. Once he had done so, he held the position for 20 years, until retiring in his early 80s.

Le Geyt had previously had a successful career in the army and fought at the 1759 Battle of Minden, a decisive operation in the Seven Years’ War that saw Britain and Hannover take on forces from France and Saxony. France had invaded Hannover and attempted to impose a treaty of peace on Britain and Prussia, which was roundly rejected. Thus, Britain fought to liberate the city, and won a decisive victory in the town of Minden, after which St Helier’s Minden Place was named.

In this battle, Charles Le Geyt commanded a grenadier company of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, the Royal Hampshire Regiment and Royal Artillery – and his many years’ service in the army are recorded in several notable paintings of the man in uniform.