Royal Alderney Militia

The Royal Alderney Militia (French: Milice d'Aurigny) was the reserve defence force of the Channel Island of Alderney, part of the British Crown Dependency of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The raising of a militia was authorised by Edward III in 1337 but the first known appointment of a commander did not come until 1657. The unit was formalised in 1777 and received its first uniforms in 1781. Its main role was to man coastal fortifications around the island and a small party successfully repelled a French invasion in 1780 or 1781. The unit was granted the right to use the "royal" title in 1831. Some members served in the Royal Garrison Artillery during the First World War but British funding ceased in 1928 and the militia was disbanded the following year. The name was reused in 1984 for a newly raised unit of the Army Cadet Force.