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
Jersey holds elections during the Occupation
- Whatever the outcome of the elections of 1940, ultimate authority would still remain with the occupying forces.
- Read more…
Work begins on St Helier harbour
- Until work began on St Helier Harbour, visitors arriving on the packet steamer had to come ashore in small boats when the tide was out.
- Read more…
Artist Edmund Blampied dies
- Artist Edmund Blampied is remembered for designing a subversive banknote for use in Jersey during the occupation.
- Read more…
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…
