Francis Peirson

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 Isles.

Early career Educated at Warrington Academy, Peirson joined the British Army in 1772. In 1779 he was appointed to the 95th Regiment of Foot, a fencible regiment raised for the defence of the British Isles from invasion and was deployed with the regiment to Jersey the following year. Peirson energetically rallied the garrison from its various posts on the island, first dispatching Captain Hugh Fraser, commander of the Highlanders and light company, to secure the heights overlooking the town, which the French had inexplicably left unoccupied. The Death of Major Peirson in the Battle of Jersey, painted by John Singleton Copley. The defeated French force fled from the town and dispersed into the countryside, where most were eventually captured. As the engagement in St Helier was being fought, Grenadiers from the 83rd Regiment under the command of Captain Campbell stormed and recaptured the La Platte Rocque Battery which had been occupied by 100 French troops.

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