1st August 1939
The telephone line between Jersey and the mainland is inaugurated
Jersey was connected to the mainland by a very circuitous route at the beginning of August 1939 when the Postmaster-General, Major GC Tryon, placed a call from a London post office to the Lieutenant-Governor and Bailiff in Jersey.
The Times explained that, before reaching the co-axial cable that had been laid across the seabed, the call first had to travel from the capital to Compass Cove, near Dartmouth, but the achievement was sufficient to gain national press coverage, and generate excitement about what it might lead to.
Although the cable was at the time carrying just one call, when fully exploited it would allow 12 simultaneous Jersey to mainland calls, four between Guernsey and the mainland, and five between Jersey and Guernsey.
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Other events that occured in August
Painter John Everett Millais dies
- Although born in Southampton, John Everett Millais was of Jersey stock, and he spent much of his childhood in the island.
- Read more…
Nude sunbathers sentenced to eight days’ hard labour
- Two girls were fined £3 and sentenced to eight days' hard labour after they stripped off on a Jersey beach.
- Read more…
Four men are arrested after French government accusation
- Four men were brought from Jersey to Southampton to answer charges of assassination and vandalism in France.
- Read more…
Parliament commends Jersey’s wartime conduct
- The British home secretary declared that the Channel Islands should be proud of themselves following the Occupation.
- Read more…
