31st May 1783
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. This left Britain feeling vulnerable to invasion, and considering how it could bolster its defences. The 95th was raised by John Reid, a British army general who was also the founder of the chair of music at the University of Edinburgh, where Reid had been educated. Reid was colonel of the 95th Regiment of Foot from 7 April 1780 until its abolition, and he remained active in the military until his death in 1807.
Ultimately, France didn’t invade the British mainland but, like Germany 150 years later, it did invade Jersey. That invasion, which occurred in 1781, came to be known as the Battle of Jersey and it was fought in part by the 95th Regiment of Foot.
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Other events that occured in May
France fails to invade Jersey
- France sent five large ships to St Ouen in an effort to invade Jersey in 1779, but they were spotted before they could land.
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Feminist and journalist Rosie Boycott is born
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Jersey hosts UK’s first post-war Grand Prix
- British driver Reg Parnell won the 1947 Jersey International Road Race, considered to be the UK's first post World War II Grand Prix race.
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Murdered Zsuzsanna Basenyei last seen alive
- Hungarian national Zsuzsanna Basenyei was last seen alive on 10 May 2018. Six days later, her body was discovered at La Pulec.
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