Ralph Mollet's diary - introduction
Ralph Mollet's
Occupation diary:
Introduction
Ralph Mollet was the secretary to the Bailiff, Alexander Coutanche during the German Occupation and also secretary of La Société Jersiaise. He was ideally placed to observe the events of the the war as they impacted on his island community, and he recorded them in a diary, which was published after the war as Jersey Under the Swastika
Introduction
From the commencement of the Occupation of the Island of Jersey by the German Forces I kept a diary containing information of a purely civil character, and have thought that an account of the Occupation may prove to be of general interest; also, as it consists of a record of what happened, it may serve to vindicate the Island Officials from much criticism and the repetition of untruths to which they were subjected.
Using this diary as a basis, and with the help of newspaper cuttings and public notices, I have written the following account of a period that was most trying and difficult for all. It was only by faith, hope, and patience that the inhabitants survived.
I trust that it will be useful for reference by my fellow countrymen and by others who have interests in the island.
For the enlightenment of those who may not be acquainted with our Island history and institutions, a brief description is here given.
Prior to the year 1066 the Channel Islands formed part of the Duchy of Normandy. On the 14th October of that year, William II, Duke of Normandy, became William I, King of England. Normandy, including the Channel Islands, became linked to the English Crown.
In the year 1204 Normandy was conquered by the French, but the Channel Islands remained faithful to King John.
In 1461, Pierre de Breze, Comte de Maulevrier, Grand Seneschal of Normandy, sent an expedition- to Jersey under Jean de Carbonnel. He succeeded in gaining possession of Mont Orgueil Castle, probably through the collusion of Nanfan, acting under orders from Queen Margaret of Anjou. For the next seven years Jersey was under French rule. Then, in October, 1468, de Carbonnel, after a siege of five months, surrendered the Castle to Sir Richard Harliston, Admiral of the English Fleet. Since that date, until the 1st July, 1940, the Islands remained undisturbed and peaceful under the Crown of England.
The laws and institutions, by which the Channel Islands are governed, being derived from Normandy, are different from those of England. The area of Jersey is about forty-five square miles, and the average population about 50,000. The Island is divided into twelve parishes and each parish has its own municipal or parochial government.
States and Royal Court
The States of Jersey, or Legislative Assembly, is the local parliament, and has power to make, amend, and repeal laws. All permanent legislation must, however, be approved by His Majesty in Council. The Assembly consists of the Bailiff, the twelve Rectors, the twelve Jurats, the twelve Connétables, and seventeen Deputies, representing the various parishes.
The Royal Court consists of the Bailiff as President and of the twelve Jurats. There are also the Attorney-General, the Vicomte or Sheriff, the Solicitor-General (these three appointed by the Crown), the Greffier or Clerk of the Court, and the Advocates.
Major offices
The Lieut-Governor is the representative of the King, and is Military Commander-in-Chief of all the forces in the Island, and of the Island Militia. He is appointed by the Crown.
The Bailiff is the Chief Justice of the Island. He is President of the States and of the Royal Court. He is appointed by the Crown. The office is important and of very ancient Norman institution.
The Rectors, twelve in number (one for each ancient parish) are appointed by the Crown.
The Jurats are twelve in number, and are elected by the people. They are called jures justiciers or sworn justiciars, and the office is for life. Besides his judicial duties a Jurat is by virtue of his office a member of the States. He receives no salary, the honour and dignity being a sufficient inducement and reward. Beyond the fact that he must be a Jerseyman by birth, there are no special qualifications required for the post.
The Constables are twelve in number (one for each parish). The Connétable, constable, or mayor is elected by his parishioners, and is the head of the parish in all matters. By virtue of his office he is also a member of the States. He is a person of considerable importance and influence in his parish. The position is purely honorary.
The Deputies are representatives elected by each parish as members of the States. The work is entirely honorary.
Occupation officials
States
President:Alexander Moncrieff Coutanche, Bailiff
Jurats:
- Philip de Carteret Le Cornu, (died 23 January 1944), Lieut-Bailiff
- Philip Ernest Bree, Lieut-Bailiff
- Philip Melmoth Baudains
- Francis Vibert Le Feuvre
- James Messervy Norman
- Edwin Philip Le Masurier
- Arthur Luxon
- Edgar Aleck Dorey
- Stanley Hocquard
- Ernest George Labey
- Philip Nicolle Gallichan
- Touzel John Bree
Rectors:
- St Helier - M Le Marinel, Dean
- St Brelade - J A Balleine (died 15 February 1942)
- St Clement - T H Labey
- Grouville - J H Valpy
- St John - R S Hornby
- St Lawrence - C P du Heaume
- St Martin - R Le Sueur (died 26 January 1941)
- St Mary - C C Ouless
- St Ouen - J S Norman
- St Peter - Vacant
- St Saviour - Vacant
- Trinity - W G Tabb
- St Brelade - Walter Benest
- St Clement - Sydney George Crill
- Grouville - P W C Briard
- St John - John Le Masurier
- St Lawrence - John W Baudains
- St Martin - Charles F Billot
- St Mary - Francis J Perree
- St Ouen - Francis Le Boutillier
- St Peter - John du Val
- St Saviour - L T Anthoine
- Trinity - Snowdon Benest (died 10 October 1944)
- St Helier - Charles James Cuming
- St Brelade - Ralph E B Voisin
- St Clement - Thomas R Blampied
- Grouville - W J Bertram
- St John - J Gartrell (died 2 February 1945)
- St Lawrence - T A Pallot
- St Martin - Philip Ahier
- St Mary - Philip Le Feuvre
- St Ouen - F Le Feuvre
- St Peter- W Simon
- St Saviour - Thomas P Mourant
- Trinity - Edwin D Gibault
- St Helier - P N Richardson, Philip Le Quesne, Edward Le Quesne, John H Amy, W S Le Masurier, John Le Maraudnd
Charles Walter Duret Aubin
Charles Sydney Le Gros
Cecil Stanley Harrison
