Themes

The Newport Mutiny of 1921

Article Highlights

The growing discontent of No.2 Battalion

Suitable accommodation for such a large force (600 men) was difficult to find and there were problems providing adequate and varied food. The battalion was organised on army lines in platoons and companies with junior officers in charge of each group. This type of organisation meant that the commander was deprived of many of his executive duties. In addition, many of the platoon and company officer reports never reached the commander or captain which meant they could not understand the men's grievances quickly enough.

After a fortnight of being housed in an ex-box factory, which was dirty and infested by rats, roughly 500 men out of 600 disobeyed the bugle call to fall in after dinner. The majority of the men were trade unionists and were in sympathy with the miners.

In addition to the food and accommodation problems the men's discontent can be summarised as follows:

'Would they be ordered to 'fire on the miners?'

'Considering the above situation, what would their chances be of returning to civil employment when the strike was over?'

'Would they be 'victimised' by the Trade Unions, as many of them belonged to a Trade Union?'

To learn about Captain Kennedy's experience at Newport, select Next