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Edward Le Quesne (1882-1957) was elected a Deputy for St Helier No 2 district in 1925 and held the seat until he stood successfully for the new office of Senator in 1948. This is an extract from a journal he wrote entitled “50 Years of Memories”, written sometime around 1949.
The Jersey Militia
Finishing my recruiting, I was posted to C company of the Royal Jersey Artillery. Our Captain was Mr. Hawksford, in civil life a Hill Street English Solicitor, and the regular sergeant-major, Charlie Davis.
Senator Carlyle Le Gallais was one of the sergeants of my company and for the short time I served in C company, I was his gun loader on the old 64-pounder muzzle-loaders that existed under the Round Tower, La Collette. There were four companies of garrison artillery in those days and two field batteries, and great rivalry existed, this being proved by the keenness shown when the annual competition took place.
Discipline in these militia regiments was very lax. Sergeants were chosen, not because of their ability, but because they could subscribe a five-pound note to the funds for the annual outing. Officers had to be scions of the local gentry, rarely had any military knowledge or training, and had to depend entirely on the regular adjutant and staff sergeants.
An unpopular officer had a rough time and could only regain his popularity by being liberal in his supply of liquid refreshment to the men of the company to which he was attached. Instances are on record of a whole company halting when near an inn and refusing to move until refreshment was provided by their officers.
The Grand Review, held on the 24th of May, Queen Victoria’s birthday, was a great day for the Royal Jersey Militia. The parade was generally held on the sands of St. Aubin’s Bay opposite Millbrook station. The review consisted of an inspection of the troops, a march past the Lieut.-Governor and a feu-de-joie. The march past was headed by the regular battalion stationed at the time in the Island, then came the artillery horse and foot, and then the infantry regiments of the Militia.
The Grand Review, held on the 24th of May, Queen Victoria’s birthday, was a great day for the Royal Jersey Militia. The parade was generally held on the sands of St. Aubin’s Bay opposite Millbrook station. The review consisted of an inspection of the troops, a march past the Lieut.-Governor and a feu-de-joie. The march past was headed by the regular battalion stationed at the time in the Island, then came the artillery horse and foot, and then the infantry regiments of the Militia.
The first regiment was the West consisting of men from the parishes of St. Ouen, St. Peter, St. Mary, St. Brelade, St. Laurens and St. John. The second was the East, consisting of men from Grouville, St. Martin, Trinity, St. Saviour and St. Clement. The third regiment was formed from men living in St. Helier.
Great stress was made in seeing that the regiments passed in proper procedure before the Lieut. Governor, and on one occasion the West regiment refused to march because by some misunderstanding they were placed behind instead of‘ in front of the other regiments. No persuasions could induce them to move and the review ended without the West passing His Excellency. Several of the ringleaders were arrested and were condemned to imprisonment. On their release they were met outside the prison by charabancs, and proceeding through the town headed by a band were eventually entertained to dinner by their fellow-militiamen at one of the local hotels.
But if discipline was lax, among the regiments could found numbers of experts with a rifle and at the local Bisley, militiamen invariably beat the men of the regular battalion and the Jersey team, consisting of militiamen and ex-militiamen, always gave a good showing at the NRA meetings at Wimbledon and later at Bisley.
A regular infantry battalion was always stationed at 'Fort Regent and St. Peter’s Barracks, and a company or two of artillery at Elizabeth Castle. Details were sometimes posted at Rozel and Greve-de-Lecq and sometimes, but rarely, at Bonne Nuit.
The Annual Militia Ball was the great social event of the year and kept the local dressmakers and tailors busy for many weeks, for apart from smart dresses for the ladies, officers and sergeants had to be provided with proper dress uniforms for the occasion. The venue was always the Oddfellows’ Hall in Don Street and carriages drawn by two horses with coachman and footman in attendance brought the distinguished guests to the Ball.
The Grand March that began the evening was always headed by the Lieut.-Governor, partnered by one of the Island’s prominent ladies. '
Class distinction was very rigid. Professional men did not mix with trades people, and various clubs in the Island did not permit membership to people engaged in trade. Employees were very respectful to their employers and were expected to raise their hats to them when meeting in the street, and the man or boy who failed to add the word “ sir ”, when addressing his employer, was considered wanting in .respect.
Great stress was made in seeing that the regiments passed in proper procedure before the Lieut. Governor, and on one occasion the West regiment refused to march because by some misunderstanding they were placed behind instead of‘ in front of the other regiments. No persuasions could induce them to move and the review ended without the West passing His Excellency. Several of the ringleaders were arrested and were condemned to imprisonment. On their release they were met outside the prison by charabancs, and proceeding through the town headed by a band were eventually entertained to dinner by their fellow-militiamen at one of the local hotels.
But if discipline was lax, among the regiments could found numbers of experts with a rifle and at the local Bisley, militiamen invariably beat the men of the regular battalion and the Jersey team, consisting of militiamen and ex-militiamen, always gave a good showing at the NRA meetings at Wimbledon and later at Bisley.
A regular infantry battalion was always stationed at 'Fort Regent and St. Peter’s Barracks, and a company or two of artillery at Elizabeth Castle. Details were sometimes posted at Rozel and Greve-de-Lecq and sometimes, but rarely, at Bonne Nuit.
The Annual Militia Ball was the great social event of the year and kept the local dressmakers and tailors busy for many weeks, for apart from smart dresses for the ladies, officers and sergeants had to be provided with proper dress uniforms for the occasion. The venue was always the Oddfellows’ Hall in Don Street and carriages drawn by two horses with coachman and footman in attendance brought the distinguished guests to the Ball.
The Grand March that began the evening was always headed by the Lieut.-Governor, partnered by one of the Island’s prominent ladies. '
Class distinction was very rigid. Professional men did not mix with trades people, and various clubs in the Island did not permit membership to people engaged in trade. Employees were very respectful to their employers and were expected to raise their hats to them when meeting in the street, and the man or boy who failed to add the word “ sir ”, when addressing his employer, was considered wanting in .respect.
Trade unionism was non-existent, and wages and conditions of employment were decided by the individual employer. Whilst many employers treated their employees with consideration, there were many exceptions and men had to put up with much that would not be tolerated to-day.
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