Themes
The Newport Mutiny of 1921
Article Highlights
Personal experience of Captain Kennedy
The Navy sent Captain Kennedy to command the No. 2 Battalion in Newport during the miners' strike. He describes the accommodation he saw as being very congested.
‘The problem was how to accommodate such a large force of men in the town. A varied selection of establishments was used for example, schools and public houses.’
Captain Kennedy notes that living standards became worse when the entire battalion was re-housed in a box factory about 4 miles from the town and the men’s recreation and leave was restricted. He also alleged that Newport had a large number of sympathisers who could stir up trouble amongst the sailors.
On the 29 April Captain Kennedy describes how the men were to muster after lunch at 1315 for the issue of clean hammocks. Only the Petty Officers (PO's) and a few men, however, obeyed the order. When the PO's and Officers attempted to make the sailors fall-in they greeted them with cheers. Eventually the men reported their grievances to their Officers. Captain Kennedy, who pointed out the seriousness of their situation, addressed all the sailors and asked that two men from each platoon present their grievances.
To find out what their major complaints were, select Next
