2nd August 1975
Two parachute deaths in two days
Members of a parachute display team called the Black Knights, put on a display in Jersey in honour of two colleagues who had been killed in jumps in the island on consecutive days. Lance-Corporal Edward Brennan was being towed along the beach while fixed to his parachute but came down in the sea and drowned.
The following day, unperturbed by the death of his colleague, 24-year-old Bombardier David Binns was aiming for the beach at Bel Royal during his jump but, like Brennan, parachuted into the sea and drowned.
Surviving members of the Black Knights team later made a ceremonial jump in memory of the two men in the presence of dignitaries.
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Other events that occured in August
Jersey men are permitted to marry their dead wives’ sisters
- Differences of opinion between the British and Jersey legal systems means some marriages may not be entirely legal.
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Bailiff Philippe de Carteret II dies
- Philippe de Carteret II was the third Seigneur of Sark and from 1627 until his death was also Bailiff of Jersey.
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Plane is washed into the sea during Jersey take-off
- Passengers on a plane heading for London were saved by bathers when the aircraft was caught by the rising tide at West Park Beach.
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Napoleon lays into Jersey in the French press
- Napoleon accused Jersey of granting asylum to criminals condemned to death, then sending them on raiding missions back into France.
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