27th October 1984
Prolific writer George d’La Forge dies
George F Le Feuvre was born in St Ouen on 29 September 1891 and, over the next nine decades, did much to preserve the Jèrriais language, despite spending many years in Canada and America. He wrote articles and reminiscences under the name George d’la Forge.
He had to wave goodbye to his mother, father and two brothers when they moved to Canada, leaving just him and one other brother behind in the care of his grandparents. He was 10 at the time and it would be another 18 years before he could join them, after the First World War had been fought, and he’d been widowed when his wife died of the Spanish flu pandemic.
He moved to Detroit, where he became an American citizen, but this was not to be his forever home. He returned to Jersey after the Second World War and was hired to write a weekly column in Jèrriais. This was the beginning of a new and highly prolific career as a journalist, eventually seeing him move to the Jersey Evening Post. He bought a house In the island – Le Menage es Feuvres in St Ouen – and spent part of each year there, and the remainder on the opposite side of the Atlantic.
He was still writing for the Jersey Evening Post when he died in San Antonio, aged 93. It had published his final column just the day before.
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 October
The King of the Ecréhous is born
- Alphonse Le Gastelois became known as the King of the Ecrehous after he retreated to the islands from his former life in Jersey.
- Read more…
Canadian politician Isaac LeVesconte dies
- Although born in Jersey – in St Aubin – Isaac LeVesconte made a name for himself in Nova Scotia, to which he emigrated aged 12.
- Read more…
Jersey death causes confusion in Scotland
- Annie Cameron left funds to establish a prize fund but there was some confusion over where she lived, which would affect her bequest.
- Read more…
Collapsing chimney kills a girl
- The channel was struck by hurricane force winds at the end of October 1887. It blew over a chimney, which killed a girl.
- Read more…