9th October 1949
The Channel Islands’ oldest inhabitant dies
Mrs C Buttfield made it to the ripe old age of 104 before dying at St Helier. That made her the oldest resident of the Channel Islands but, while remarkable, her longevity certainly wasn’t unheard-of.
In 1885, Sarah Robinson, who had been the wife of the medical inspector general had also died aged either 104, as reported by some papers, or 114, as printed in the Aberdeen Evening Press of 30 November that year. A Mrs Guppy had reached 101 before dying in February 1928 at the Jersey Home for Infirm and Aged Women, and Mrs Poingdestre reached 103 before dying on the night of 8 October 1894.
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Other events that occured in October
Victor Hugo leaves Jersey
- Victor Hugo settled in Jersey when he was exiled from France, but after criticising Queen Victoria he had to leave the island for Guernsey.
- Read more…
Under-defended Jersey mulls conscription
- Six years before it was invaded and occupied during the Second World War, Jersey’s authorities recognised that the island was dangerously under-defended.
- Read more…
Jersey starts issuing its own stamps
- Jersey issued its first stamps on 1 October 1969 when the island's postal service gained independence from the mainland.
- Read more…
Channel Islands’ king sails for the mainland
- William the Conqueror was already king of the Channel Islands, including Jersey, before he set sail for England.
- Read more…
