Guernsey trader Echo off the Corbiere, when six lives were lost, and on
December 22nd by a breach in the pier at Greve-de-Lecq.’
Robert’s father was a pillar of Jersey’s society.
10 As M.D., Augustin held a
highly prestigious position and naturally participated in the intellectual and
social life of the Island. For example, in 1872 he took a Commission in the
Town Regiment eventually retiring with the rank of Lieut-Colonel Surgeon.
He was a founder member of the Societé Jersiaise,
15 established in January
1873 for the study of Jersey’s archaeology, history, language and the conservation of the environment. He was a member from 1874 to 1910, honourary Secretary from 1881 to 1896, and President in 1897. During his
career he became Honourary Surgeon to the local general hospital, and to the
Jersey Dispensary. He was Medical Officer of the Jersey Orphan’s Home for
Girls and Inspector General of the Medical Staff at the Jersey Royal Militia.
He was also a founder of the Jersey Medical Society; he acted as its secretary
for some years and ultimately became its president. On 21 March 1903, he
was elected a ‘Jurat’ of the Royal Court of the island. (through French from
mediaeval Latin, jurat, ‘he swears,’ the name given to a public official, in this
case a magistrate). He was also an ‘old Victorian’, the name given to former
pupils of Victoria College St. Helier, the island’s only public school founded
in 1852. In the same year as he became Jurat, he also became a member of the
College committee (Plate 1.2).
Jersey at the time of Robert’s birth was rural with farming and fishing the
primary industries. For the ordinary population wages were low, £20 was
about the annual income for the unskilled working class in relatively secure
positions. Robert’s provenance therefore ensured he enjoyed a privileged
young life and the Le Rossignol home(s) reflected this. At the time of Robert’s
birth in David Place, in addition to Augustin, Edith, and siblings, Austen
Clement (b. 27 October 1878), Herbert, (‘Bertie’), Sorel (b. 07 November
1879) and Elsie Edith (b. 02 March 1881)
16 this busy little household
included Margaret Brophy an Irish cook, Anne Billot and Anne Mollet—
both quite elderly nurses—and Mary Ulrick a young housemaid. At the time
David Place was a hub of Jersey commerce—many of the congregation in the
local church of St. Mark’s being described as ‘well to do’. Today, David Place
remains ‘gentrified’ with many medical and dental practises together with a
still flourishing business community including many hotels. Even when
Robert was 17 and then living at nearby Caesarea Place
17 St. Saviours Road,
the household still employed servants. Rachel Jane Le Richie and Anne Louisa
Way were nurse-domestic and housemaid respectively. By then however,
Austen had left to study at Exeter College Oxford, ‘Bertie’ was employed as a
8
D. Sheppard
December 22nd by a breach in the pier at Greve-de-Lecq.’
Robert’s father was a pillar of Jersey’s society.
10 As M.D., Augustin held a
highly prestigious position and naturally participated in the intellectual and
social life of the Island. For example, in 1872 he took a Commission in the
Town Regiment eventually retiring with the rank of Lieut-Colonel Surgeon.
He was a founder member of the Societé Jersiaise,
15 established in January
1873 for the study of Jersey’s archaeology, history, language and the conservation of the environment. He was a member from 1874 to 1910, honourary Secretary from 1881 to 1896, and President in 1897. During his
career he became Honourary Surgeon to the local general hospital, and to the
Jersey Dispensary. He was Medical Officer of the Jersey Orphan’s Home for
Girls and Inspector General of the Medical Staff at the Jersey Royal Militia.
He was also a founder of the Jersey Medical Society; he acted as its secretary
for some years and ultimately became its president. On 21 March 1903, he
was elected a ‘Jurat’ of the Royal Court of the island. (through French from
mediaeval Latin, jurat, ‘he swears,’ the name given to a public official, in this
case a magistrate). He was also an ‘old Victorian’, the name given to former
pupils of Victoria College St. Helier, the island’s only public school founded
in 1852. In the same year as he became Jurat, he also became a member of the
College committee (Plate 1.2).
Jersey at the time of Robert’s birth was rural with farming and fishing the
primary industries. For the ordinary population wages were low, £20 was
about the annual income for the unskilled working class in relatively secure
positions. Robert’s provenance therefore ensured he enjoyed a privileged
young life and the Le Rossignol home(s) reflected this. At the time of Robert’s
birth in David Place, in addition to Augustin, Edith, and siblings, Austen
Clement (b. 27 October 1878), Herbert, (‘Bertie’), Sorel (b. 07 November
1879) and Elsie Edith (b. 02 March 1881)
16 this busy little household
included Margaret Brophy an Irish cook, Anne Billot and Anne Mollet—
both quite elderly nurses—and Mary Ulrick a young housemaid. At the time
David Place was a hub of Jersey commerce—many of the congregation in the
local church of St. Mark’s being described as ‘well to do’. Today, David Place
remains ‘gentrified’ with many medical and dental practises together with a
still flourishing business community including many hotels. Even when
Robert was 17 and then living at nearby Caesarea Place
17 St. Saviours Road,
the household still employed servants. Rachel Jane Le Richie and Anne Louisa
Way were nurse-domestic and housemaid respectively. By then however,
Austen had left to study at Exeter College Oxford, ‘Bertie’ was employed as a
8
D. Sheppard