The Shoreham Mutiny

SHOREHAM & SOUTHWICK MEN MARCH TO BRIGHTON

Mayor and Chief Constable Interviewed; MAYOR'S GOOD ADVICE
The most remarkable military demonstration ever witnessed in Sussex took place this morning, when 7,000 from the London Command Depot at Shoreham and the Royal Marine Engineering Works at Southwick marched to the Brighton Town Hall to protest against the delay in the demobilization of the troops.

Every man of the 7,000 has served overseas, and for some time past, it appears, they have been labouring under a sense of injustice at the inequality of the treatment they allege has been meted out to them. Throughout yesterday the leaders of the men were busy enlisting promises of the support of the troops to march out of Camp today, and at 7 o'clock this morning they took active steps towards carrying out their object. The General-in-Command, having been appraised of the men's intentions, addressed them from the flagstaff on the question of demobilization. He pointed out that thousands of troops could not be demobilized without some delay, and promised that if they had a genuine grievance he would forward it to the proper authorities. He offered to meet them again at 11 o'clock, but the leaders of the men decided at once to march into Brighton, and shortly afterwards the whole route from the camp was alive with masses of khaki-clad men. At Southwick they were joined by men of the RME, and on the way to Brighton every soldier in the streets was invited to join in the procession.

The BrightonTown Hall was reached shortly after 11 o'clock, and steps were at once taken to secure an interview with the Mayor through the offices of the Chief Constable. ... Meanwhile the troops formed up in Bartholomews, and, in thoroughly orderly fashion, whiled away the time in songs and a few speeches...

"We demand demobilization as soon as possible," said this man, who was wearing two wound stripes. "There is far too much messing about," he proceeded, "doing physical jerks, washing up pans and dishes, and generally doing women's work while we might be at home doing our own jobs. Why cannot we be discharged in khaki if they like and sent home, and if they want us they know where to find us. If we were home we could go and find a job, but we cannot do it while we are confined to Camp."
Evening Argus 6 January 1919

Blighty Brighton