| The order for the mobilisation
of the Active Militia was issued about 5 p.m. on Wednesday,
29th July, 1914 by His Excellency, Major-General Sir AN
Rochfort, KCB, CMG, Lieutenant-Governor and Commanding the
Troops in Jersey.
The following table shows the effective strength of all
Militia units on this date:
|
Militia Units
|
Active Militia
|
Reserves
|
Totals
|
|
Officers
|
OR
|
OR
|
|
| Artillery Staff |
2
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
| A Battery (Field Artillery) |
4
|
78
|
60
|
142
|
| B Battery (Field Artillery) |
3
|
73
|
59
|
135
|
| C Company (Heavy Battery) |
3
|
68
|
79
|
150
|
| D Company (Coast Defence) |
2
|
62
|
68
|
132
|
| Engineer Company |
1
|
118
|
54
|
173
|
| 1st (West) Battalion LI |
12
|
385
|
406
|
803
|
| 2nd (East) Battalion LI |
13
|
349
|
334
|
696
|
| 3rd (South) Battalion LI |
15
|
547
|
395
|
957
|
| Medical Corps |
5
|
85
|
28
|
118
|
| Totals |
60
|
1765
|
1483
|
3308
|
All units of the Active Militia assembled on parade in
Marching Order at their respective rendezvous on the 30th
July, 1914 at 2 p.m. - 21 hours after receipt of the order
for mobilization, and were fully equipped.
His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor inspected each
unit and detachments were despatched to occupy their allotted
War Posts for the observation of the coast line and defence
of the Island.
The Reserve Militia was mobilized in accordance with
an Order in Council dated 4th August, 1914, and were armed
and equipped on assembly.
In order not to interfere with local industries, agriculture
and business, the number of troops actually required for
duty only were retained permanently under arms, these
men being usually relieved weekly, those not on duty returning
to their homes to carry on their employment in civil life,
but retaining their arms, ammunition and equipment in
order to be ready to assemble at their respective alarm
posts on the shortest notice.
This system was adhered to during the War until the Militia
Law was repealed on 23rd February, 1917, by the local
Military Service Law of 1916, confirmed by Order in Council
dated 6th February, 1917
The Headquarters of each unit was as follows:
| Artillery |
At the Old Town Arsenal, with detachments
at Springfield, South Hill, St. Peter's Arsenal and
Grouville Arsenal. |
| Engineer Company |
At La Collette, with detachments in
the Eastern and Western sectors. |
| 1st (West) Battalion LI |
At St. Peter's Arsenal and subsequently
in St. Peter's Barracks with a detachment at Grève
de Lecq. |
| 2nd (East) Battalion LI |
At St. Martin's Schools, and Parish
Hall, with detachments at Fort Henry, Bonne Nuit Barracks
and Rozel Barracks. |
| 3rd (South) Battalion LI |
In the National Schools, Halkett Place,
and subsequently in camp on the Cycling Grounds, Grève
d'Azette, in the Canning Factory, Fort Regent, and
finally in the Old Town Arsenal. |
| Medical Corps |
At La Collette with detachments at St.
Peter's Barracks and St. Martin's Schools. |
The Militia was employed chiefly on outpost duty during
mobilization, observing and guarding the coast line: the
piquets in each defence sector being located in the Martello
Towers of Napoleonic days, in huts erected for the purpose,
and in other convenient places.
On 23rd February, 1917 the Royal Jersey Militia ceased
to exist for the duration of the War, under the local
Law on Military Service, approved by an Order in Council
dated 6th February 1917, and the 110th Company, Royal
Garrison Artillery [RGA] and the Royal Jersey Garrison
Battalion [RJGB] were raised as temporary regular troops,
from local Volunteers and men enrolled under the local
Law on Military Service, to garrison the Island, the majority
of whom had previously served in the Militia.
|
