Anniversary of the Last Invasion of Britain

The brief campaign, which began on February 22 and ended two days later, was the most recent effort by a foreign force that was able to land on British soil.

The French invasion force consisted of 1,400 troops under the command of Colonel William Tate.

They landed at Carregwastad Head and discipline soon broke down, with many of the invaders deserting to loot nearby settlements and get drunk.

The remaining troops were confronted by a quickly assembled group of around 500 British reservists, militia and sailors under the command of John Campbell, 1st Baron Cawdor.

After brief clashes with the local civilian population and Lord Cawdor's forces on February 23, Tate was forced to negotiate surrender at the Royal Oak on Fishguard Square. It is understood the very table on which those negotiations were made remains in the pub today.

The following morning, the British forces lined up in battle order on Goodwick beach, while local townspeople gathered on the cliffs above to wait for Tate’s response. It is thought the French troops may have mistaken local women in their traditional tall black hats and red cloaks for British Grenadiers.

Feeling outnumbered Tate accepted the terms of the unconditional surrender and his troops were marched through Fishguard on their way to temporary imprisonment in Haverfordwest.

Meanwhile, Cawdor rode out with a party of his Pembroke Yeomanry Cavalry to Trehowel Farm to receive Tate's official surrender – unfortunately that document has never been recovered.

The heroine of the hour was Jemima Nicholas, who armed with just a pitchfork, went out into the fields around Fishguard and rounded up 12 French soldiers. She persuaded them to return with her to town where she locked them inside St Mary's Church before setting out for more. She is remembered fondly in the town today, with local Jacqui Scarr donning full costume for local events.