Francis Peirson
Francis Peirson | |
|---|---|
 Major Peirson | |
| Born | January 1757 London, England |
| Died | 6 January 1781 (age 24) Jersey |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Service/ |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1772 - 1781 |
| Rank | Major |
| Commands held | (acting garrison commander) Jersey Garrison |
| Battles/wars | American War of Independence Battle of Jersey † |
Major Francis Peirson (January 1757 – 6 January 1781) was a British Army officer who was serving on Jersey, in the Channel Islands off the coast of France. He was killed in the Battle of Jersey, one of the last battles to take place in the British islands.[1]
Early career
Educated at Warrington Academy, Peirson joined the British Army in 1772.[2] In 1779 he was appointed to the 95th Regiment of Foot which was deployed to Jersey the following year.[2]
Battle of Jersey and death
Following the capture and imprisonment of Major Moses Corbet, Commander of the Jersey Garrison, by French troops on 6 January 1781, Peirson refused French demands to surrender and took command of the Garrison.[2] Peirson ordered his troops to hold their ground at the center of the island, and he repelled several French attacks on the position. However, he was shot in the heart by a musket ball, and died. During and after his death, the troops under his command were victorious in the Battle of Jersey.[3]
Places named after Peirson
- The Peirson pub is where Philippe de Rullecourt, the opposing French General, died.
- Peirson Place is the short street leading into the Royal Square where Peirson was shot
- Peirson Road is another street in Saint Helier
References
- ^ Scottish history errors explained, from The Scotsman, 3 November 2010 (retrieved 7.11.2010).
- ^ a b c Francis Peirson at Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
- ^ "No. 12153". The London Gazette. 13 January 1781. p. 1.
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