The French invasion that never was

Defending the Sussex coast from Napoleon. By Allen Misselbrook

The threat from Napoleon

During the early part of the 17th Century when King George III was on the throne, Napoleon was conquering Europe and it was feared that he would also cross the Channel and invade England. A French army of 200,000 men was being assembled along the Channel coast and a campaign date of 1803 to 1805 set. The British Government of the day, under Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger, took the threat very seriously and drew up contingency plans to prepare the Counties bordering the coast, especially Sussex, in the event that Napoleon attempted an invasion.

The Aldwick Barracks are remembered in the name of the road that they were built along, Barrack Lane.

Yapton census is ordered

The Lord Lieutenants had to draw up and implement a Census to establish a list of equipment, facilities, provisions and other items that would be useful and available to an invading army.

All livestock had to be declared including cows, sheep, pigs, and horses along with wagons, carts and anything else that could be used as transport by the enemy. Also listed were 49 ovens which could produce 181 loaves a day.

How best to defend to the coast?

Meetings were held and plans were discussed on how best to defend the coastline. As well as Martello Towers and Sea Forts being built in the sea along the coast, the Deputy-Lieutenants of the vulnerable Counties agreed to build temporary barracks consisting of wooden huts to billet regular soldiers and militia should the need arise. The nearest ones to Yapton were located at Bognor, Aldwick and Selsey.

A second census form had to be completed, this detailed the number of people that were living in the village.

The authorities wanted to know how many men were capable of fighting, how many people categorised by age and gender, were able to travel unaided and how many would have to be assisted.

One hour to leave your home

An Edict was issued that defending forces could not commandeer waggons of those who lived near the sea but were to leave them for the owners to evacuate their families and possessions. For those inhabitants that did not possess a cart, waggons that had been commandeered would be sent back to assist them. Each family was issued a ticket which they had to fill in with their details and they were only allowed to take a few basic items with them plus 1 Peck (7.75 Kgs) of food. They would be given one hour to leave their homes.

To mount a successful invasion, the French had to control the English Channel. This they could not do as their ports were being blockaded by the English Navy. All notions of an invasion were cancelled.

Allen Misselbrook, Yapton & Ford Local History Group. If you have any feedback or would like to contribute any local knowledge please contact allen@yaptonhistory.org.uk