Some Events in July 1913.

Here is another look back 100 years, at the events in the month July 1913. Whereas June 1913 seemed to be a time for road accidents, July seems to have more than its fair share of drownings, as well as one unfortunate man who fell of a ladder.

There is a bitter sweet quality to seeing the mentions of the scouts, or the cadet companies, and the Militia camp, as this year was the last year of peace. Within a few years, many of those scouts or cadets would be heading off to France, where a number would never return.

It is interesting that the French people in Jersey are referred to as a "colony". It is a different way of viewing immigrants. I'm not sure that it is one which would sit easily today, if we started talking about the Portuguese or Polish colony in Jersey.

The Oddfellows Hall lends itself to a few musical events and plays. The Oddfellows was one of a number of fraternal societies which began in the 18th century, and which provided both care for members and an organisation for bringing together people in community. The Hall (no longer owned by the society) is in Don Street, St Helier.

On the medical side, members of Oddfellows would pay a monthly sum, and this would entitle them to medical care from doctors with the society paying the bill, thus spreading the cost across the membership and over the year. In England, this ended with free medical care and the welfare state, but the Jersey and Guernsey branches still continue to fulfil this primary purpose for their members to this day (and also accept new members from any member of the general public under retirement age who wishes to apply).

In fact one local member (Gordon De La Perrelle) who recently died had just attained the grand age of 100 years in May, and would have been an infant when the events described here were taking place. I had the privilege of meeting Gordon briefly on several occasions, and I find it quite amazing to contemplate how close the seemingly distant past can be to us today when we know someone for whom the events happened within their lifetime.

The Oddfellows Hall had also seen in November 1910 the first musical production of the Green Room club, an adaptation by Miss Peyton of a French Comic Opera and renamed 'Les Mousquetaires du Roi'. The production ran for three nights and one matinee. Mr M. Brunt, the Bandmaster of 'The Kings' at the time was Musical Director, a position he was to fill until 1935. The show was a great success.

Late on, during the war, there would be events such as the Royal Militia Island of Jersey programme for the Non Commissioned Officers Ball which was held at the Oddfellows Hall in 1914.

Some Events in July 1913.

July 1

Centieniership of St Clement: Deputation to Centenier G.L. Gruchy

July 2

Boy scouts delegation leave for Birmingham

July 3

St Luke's Cadet Co: Annual Inspection by Capt Green, Devon Regiment.
St Mark's Cadet Co: Annual drill competition, concert etc

July 4

Inquest on Mr John Biddlecombe, of Rosemount Cottages, who was drowned the previous evening while bathing of The Dicq; verdict of "accidental death"

First Tower Recreation Club. Annual General Meeting. Club dissolved.

July 7

Narrow escape from drowning of a lad named Metcalf at Havre des Pas; plucky rescue by Mr A.H. Samson.

July 8

Militia Camp (3rd Battalion R.M.I.J. and Engineers) commenced at Quennevais.

Meeting at Gorey about Gouray Church accounts, about which correspondence by Mr G.E.M. Gape had appeared in the Press; explanations by Vicar and Churchwardens unanimously accepted.

July 9

Inquest on Mr John Philip De La Perrelle who was killed about 9 o'clock that morning by falling from a ladder at Mr. J. W. Huelin's house, No. 44. Esplanade. Verdict, "Accidental death."

Mr.  J. E. Le Boutillier unanimously elected Jurat in place of Jurat Gervaise Le Gros, resigned.

Visit of Miss Adela Verne: Pianoforte recitals at Oddfellows' Hall.

July 14

Members of French Colony celebrate French National Fete.
"The Impromptus" in the Triangle Park.
The Castellano Grand Opera Company at the Opera House

July 15

Important Parish meeting at. Town Hall: electric lighting for town; Committee named to study whole question; road improvement at First Tower decided upon; insignia of office for Constable: Divided to accept same if presented.

July 16

Jersey Art Club. Exhibition opened at Museum Hall
Garden Fete and Bazaar at Gouray Lodge.
Le Patrimoine, St. Lawrence. Destroyed by fire.

Accident on Victoria Pier; Mr. Frank Le Riche's leg fractured.

July 17

Guernsey races.
Jersey Canning Company: annual meeting - dividend of 3 per cent declared.

Parish Assembly at St Martin: roads taken over by Parish

July 19

Mr J.F. Le Boutillier sworn in as Jurat by Full Court
"News of the World" pigeon race £100 championship won by Mr H. Hyde of Kingston.

July 21

"Royal Entertainers" in Triangle Park
"Butterfly on the Wheel" at Opera House.
Guernsey Amateurs play the comedy "The Liars" at Oddfellows' Hall
Victoria College Swilling Sports
Jersey Football Association Annual General Meeting

July 22

Serious cycling accident to a French medical gentleman at Greve de Lecq.

July 23

Associated Board R.A.M. and R.C.M.. Distribution of prizes and certificates at Town Hall.

July 24

Jersey Race Club: Summer Races at Quennevais. His Majesty's cup won by Mr H.B. Parson's "Lady Willoughby"

July 25

Jersey Modern School Annual Snorts.

July 28

J.S.C. Morning Handicaps.
Jersey Ladies' College Annual Swimming Sports
St Mark's Cadets leave for camp in Guernsey
"The Quaker Girl" at Opera House
July 29

St Helier's Parish prizes for French: Distribution at Town Hall by Mrs Pinel
Prize day at Helvetia House School.
J.S.C. second series diving handicaps

July 30

Early morning thunderstorm; house struck by lightning at Faldouet; damage slight.
Wedding at St Brelade's - Mr Leonard Cutbush and Miss Flora H. Vardon.
Teignmore Homes Bazaar and Garden Fete

July 31

Prize Day at Jersey Ladies' College.

Mr. Philip A. Basset (a Jerseyman) found drowned in Goole Docks
Tragic death of a Frenchman (André Roudillon whilst digging for bait at Greve d'Azette, a case of sunstroke.
St. Aubin's Swimming Club Annual matches
Death whilst bathing of Mons. Henri Bourichet, of Highlands College.

June 1913: 100 Years Ago

Today, a look back 100 years at events taking place in Jersey in June 1913.
 
A note on places:
 
Triangle park is the park to the side of the Grand Hotel.
 
The Bristol Hotel could well be "The Bristol Hotel Co Ltd" at 57 Ann Street, St Helier
 
The Grasshopper Hotel was at 3 Mulcaster Street where Frederick George Aplin was the Manager between 1902 and 1910.
 
It is interesting to see the branchage for St Helier is on the 26 June. The 1914 law would push that forward to July and make the dates much more limited in scope.
 
Josué Filleul Renouf was the winning candidate in the election for Deputy of St Clement. Deputies elections do not seem to have been held on the same month, and the number voting - 169 - gives some idea of the small size of the Parish. The 1901 census gives a population of 1,508, but of course there was no universal suffrage in 1913. The 2011 census gave a population of 9,221.
 
June 1913
 
June 2.
 
Serious accident to a farmer (Mr. Thos. Touzel, of Samares), who fell from his van in Mulcaster Street, the wheels passing over one of his legs.
 
June 3.
 
King's Birthday: Ideal weather. Military Parade at Fort Regent. Levee at Government House. Municipal Fetes in Triangle Park, afternoon and evening.
 
June 4.
 
Grand "Ship" Bazaar opened at Royal Crescent U.M. School Hall.
 
Nomination meeting for vacant Centeniership, terms of office of Centeniers Luxon and Amy  having expired; three candidates proposed, A. Luxon, F. Amy and H. J. Ross.
 
St. Mary's Parish meeting: rate fixed at 1s. 3d
 
June 6.
 
Fire at No.2, Granada Place, Oxford Road.
 
Closing day of " Ship " Bazaar at Royal Crescent: total for the three clays, £207 10s. 5d.
 
June 7
 
St. Luke's Cadet Co.: Departure for Guernsey for annual camp.
 
June 8
 
Wesleyan Methodist Foreign Missions: Visit of Rev. C. W. Harpur.
 
First United Sunday evening open-air service on People's Park: Speaker, Very Rev. the Dean.
 
June 10.
 
St. Helier's Parochial Assembly: Bristol Hotel special license recommended. Election for Centenier: Messrs. A. Luxon and T.A. J. Ross elected. Result of poll: Luxon, 771 ; Ross, 680; Amy, 586.
 
June 11.
 
Accident on Esplanade.: Cabman named Fred Bevans' leg fractured.
 
St. Clement's Deputyship: Nomination meeting; two candidates proposed. Messrs. G. L. Dupre and J. F. Renouf.
 
June 13.
 
Jerseyman named George Liot killed at St. Servan.
 
June 14.
 
St. Luke's Cadet Co, return from camp at Guernsey.
 
June 17.
 
Election for Deputy at St. Clement: Mr J.F. Renouf returned; result of poll: Renouf, 94; Dupre 75.
 
Parish Assembly at St. Oven: Rate taxed at 1.s. 2d.
 
June 18.
 
The resignation of Jurat Le Gros: His Majesty advised to grant petition; new election to be ordered.
 
June 19.
 
Inquest on Mr. George Whiteman (a visitor), who was taken ill at Havre-des-Pas the previous Sunday, and died at the Hospital on the Wednesday (18th): Verdict: "Cerebral haemorrhage, probably caused by alcoholism."
 
Miss Amelia Cray, of Fauvic Inn, died rather suddenly.
 
June 20.
 
Licensing :Assembly: Bristol Hotel "special" granted.
 
Haines Shield won in Guernsey by Victoria College Officers Training Corps.
 
June 21
 
RJA &HS (Agricultural Department) Special meeting. Decided to purchase Grasshopper Hotel for offices.
 
June 22.
 
Wesley Sunday School: 97th anniversary.
 
June 23.
 
Serious accident to a workman named W. French, of Birmingham, both legs fractured by being run  over by a loaded potato van whilst coming to town from Trinity.
 
Annual meeting British and Foreign Bible Society ((Jersey Auxiliary) at Prince of Wales' Rooms
 
June 24.
 
Inquest on Mr John Le Maistre of St Ouen, whose body was found that morning washed up by the tide at L'Etacq: Verdict: " Probable suicide due to depression carried through excessive drinking."
 
June 25
 
Rose and Sweat Pea Show opened at West Park Pavilion.
 
St. Saviours Parish Meeting: Rate fixed at 1s. 6d.; the Constable. announces his decision to resign his Constableship.
 
June 26.
 
St. Helier's Branchage Visit
 
June 27
 
Fire at Bagot (Mr Ahier's blacksmith shop)
 
June 28
 
Jersey seaman named James Kelly disappears from ss. Aysgarth Force on voyage from St. Main to Southampton, supposed to have fallen overboard.
 
June 29
 
College terminal Service at Town Church.
 
June 30.
 
Inquest on Mr. J. E. Le Marquand of Grouville, who died on the 29th from injuries received the previous day by falling through trapdoor of hayloft: verdict: Accidental Death
 
"The Silhouettes" open concert season at Triangle Park.