Post by Les on Jul 4, 2021 5:22:40 GMT
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Jul 1, 2021 at 9:58pm QuoteEditlikePost OptionsPost by Les on Jul 1, 2021 at 9:58pm
May 1 1926 The First Genral Strike began at Midnight.
Trade Union Congress backed the miners following a breakdown in their negotiations with mine owners.
A state of emergency was declared and the country was divided into areas of emergency arrangements ran by civil commissioners.
The British Gazette fist issue published 8th May edited by the Chancellor Winston Churchill who lived at westerham.
He demanded unconditional surrender by the strikers and refered to them as the 'Ememy'.
After the first week Kent was quit .Those on strike around Kent were well behaved.
There was a rush of volunteer's for help maintaining the country's services and this continued.
At Maidstone bas and Electric stayed the sane as normal.
So did most firms.
A committee of coal merchants formed with the Mayor as chairman.
They rationed the coal to 1 handredweight of Coal without a permit.
On Wednesday morning a procession of strikers marched up the High Street and demanded that the Town Council finf them
accommodation for their meetings.
The Concert Hall was offered at a reduced rate.
John Reigh said encouragingly " Peace on Earth comes to all men of good will "he was manage ring director of the BBC.
everyone was doing their best to ensure there was no conflict or violence .
In Sittingbourne over 2,000 men from Edward Lloyds Paper Mill were on strike. The firm arranged for sport and games with
competitions A.J.Evans Kent and England cricketer was the organiser.
Ships at Sheerness set sail as soon as they could including HMS Royal Sovereign.
30 armed guard were posted outside the Electricity works at Dover. Passengers from cross channel charted Taxis to London.
allthe Southen Railway boats were in dock. The Orange buses were taken over by the Government to be used in another area.
around 500 men were on strike in Folkstone most railwaymen ,a lot of volunteers hurried to man vital services.
Tonbridge there was Printers Railwaymen and bricklayers on strike with little effect on local services. Colonel Spencer Clay MP
Spearing at the Empire Picture Palace said that the strike would only hinder Britain's and increase the cost of living and urged the men to return to work.
Bowaters Paper Mill was Commandeered by the Government for essential purposes
Chatham dock yard union did not support the Strike and was believe to be used by strike breakers.Coal for powering the ships was being given to power stations.
12 May the Strike finished as the TUC realised they had did not have the will or funds to keep it going.
At Biggen Hill a Lorry on route to the aerodrome was over turned as it was carrying The British Gazette.
These were loaded onto 3 Vimy's Crammed in the rear cockpits the occupant had to sit on top and flown around the towns and villages and the papers dropped over them.
The mob headed towards the aerodrome but dispersed before getting there as there was a armed guard at the airfield.