Around 30 people, including the Dean of Jersey, the Very Rev Mike Keirle, and St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft, helped to recreate John Singleton Copley’s depiction of Major Peirson’s death at the site.
And the 1781 Jersey Militia re-enactment group also sent the sound of gunfire ringing across town as they shot their muskets in tribute to Major Peirson and the men who perished defending the Island against French invasion.
Before the re-enactment, local historian Frank Falle led a group of about 60 from St Martin’s Church to the Royal Square, following the route that the Militia’s northern regiment took on their way to fend off the French invaders.
Constable Simon Crowcroft said that before the German Occupation, the near-occupation by the French was of tremendous importance to the Island.
He said: ‘I know some families had a picture of the death of Major Peirson in their front room. It is a really important and iconic painting – he is seen as being one of the key people who kept us from being occupied by the French.
‘How long the French invasion would have lasted, we do not know, but it certainly could have had serious consequences for the Island – so that is why we remember it.’
Mr Crowcroft added: ‘We have the honorary police here and the army cadets. It sort of epitomises what makes Jersey special. You have got lots of volunteers involved, and it reminds us that there were a lot of volunteers involved in the original defence of Jersey and a lot of people were killed protecting Jersey – not just Major Peirson, but also members of the Militia.’
