Gallant garrison honoured

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32880, 1 April 1972, Page 13

Gallant garrison honoured

(By

KENNETH ANTHONY)

Brimstone Hill, sometimes referred to as the Gibraltar of the West Indies, dominates the north-western part of the island of St Kitts. The island was the scene of one of the earliest English settlements in the Caribbean, and as early as 1690 guns were mounted on the summit to repel any invader. It was not until the 18th century, however, that any systematic effort was made .to fortify the position: and unfortunately the defences were still incomplete in 1782 when the hill was attacked by a force of 6000 seasoned French troops. The defenders were outnumbered six to one. To make matters worse they were unable to drag their guns to the top of the hill before the invaders arrived, and so found their own cannon being used against them. But under the command of General Shirley, the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the island, and General Fraser, the garrison commander, they conducted a spirited resistance for just over a month. When eventually the were forced to surrender, the French were so impressed by the garrison’s gallantry that they were granted terms which are considered to be unique in the history of warfare. The defenders were allowed to march through the breach in the fort with all the honours of war, with drums beating and colour flying. Moreover, the two

British generals were not taken prisoner but were allowed to depart to Antigua to continue the war from there. . „ . The next year, after Rodney’s famous victory over the French fleet at the Battle of the Saints, the island of St Kitts was returned to Britain. Subsequently the Brimstone Hill fortifications were completed. Ironically enough they were never again called upon to withstand attack, although they were garrisoned until the

middle of the 19th century. Today the solid stone walls can still be seen, and the old cannon still continues to point menacingly over the surrounding country. But the only modern invaders are the tourists, who make the long climb to admire the superb views from the top. A new set of four stamps serves as a reminder of the valour of the past. On the jc value illustrated here, are seen men of the East Yorkshire Regiment, who formed part of the gallant garrison during the siege of Briml stone Hill.