28th May 1946
Corbiere’s assistant lighthouse keeper drowns
Corbiere lighthouse is cut off at high tide, and it’s easy to be caught out if you don’t keep watch. That’s what happened to a pair of English visitors on 28 May 1946. One of them made it safely to the shore, but his wife didn’t, and assistant keeper Peter Edwin Larbalestier set out to rescue her.
Despite knowing what the sea can be like there, Larbalestier was washed away, along with the unfortunate woman, and they were both drowned.
A plaque was erected in his honour close to the lighthouse, “In memory of Peter Edwin Larbalestier, assistant keeper at Corbiere Lighthouse who, on 28th May 1946, gave his life in attempting to rescue a visitor cut off by the incoming tide. Take heed all ye who pass by”.
Larbalestier was 34 years old when he died. His grave is in the yard of St Brelade’s parish church.
FREE Jersey history newsletter
Don't miss our weekly update on Jersey's fascinating history. We promise never to sell your data to anyone else, and there's a super-easy unsubscribe link on the bottom of each email so you can leave whenever you want.
Other events that occured in May
The 95th Regiment of Foot is disbanded
- The 95th Regiment of Foot was founded on 23 July 1779 when France entered the American War of Independence on America’s side.
- Read more…
Corbiere’s assistant lighthouse keeper drowns
- Corbiere's assistant lighthouse keeper was washed away when he set out to save a pair of English visitors in 1946.
- Read more…
Methodist minister Jean de Quetteville is born
- Jean de Quetteville took Methodism from Jersey to Guernsey but the locals on the neighbouring island weren't initially keen to hear him preach.
- Read more…
Arson is suspected in a long-running marital dispute
- A woman seemingly had a cast-iron alibi as she was 45 minutes away when the fire of which she was accused of starting began.
- Read more…
