Llanelli railway strike
Encyclopedia
In August 1911, the railway strike in Llanelli was brutally suppressed by the police
, and 2 men - John 'Jac' John and Leonard Worsell - were shot dead by troops of the Worcester Regiment. Rioting followed and magistrates' homes were attacked and railway trucks were set on fire, resulting in an explosion which killed a further four people.
The incident was highly politically sensitive, as the Great Western Railway
through Carmarthenshire
was the main route between England and the troubles in Ireland
.
The Llanelli industrial action was part of the first national railway strike.
was the scene for the riots. The Llanelli Riots took place on 19 August 1911. Their immediate cause was the very first Railway Strike which lasted only two days. The strike started on Thursday evening, and by Saturday evening two young men had been shot dead by the Army when a scab
train was held up. One man was killed when a railway truck exploded and, on the following day, three more people died from their injuries. The story of the Riots is set in a period of great industrial unrest, and involves prominent figures on the international scene such as Lloyd George, Winston Churchill
, King George V, and Kaiser Wilhelm
of Germany
.
Police brutality
Police brutality is the intentional use of excessive force, usually physical, but potentially also in the form of verbal attacks and psychological intimidation, by a police officer....
, and 2 men - John 'Jac' John and Leonard Worsell - were shot dead by troops of the Worcester Regiment. Rioting followed and magistrates' homes were attacked and railway trucks were set on fire, resulting in an explosion which killed a further four people.
The incident was highly politically sensitive, as the Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
through Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire is a unitary authority in the south west of Wales and one of thirteen historic counties. It is the 3rd largest in Wales. Its three largest towns are Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford...
was the main route between England and the troubles in Ireland
Partition of Ireland
The partition of Ireland was the division of the island of Ireland into two distinct territories, now Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland . Partition occurred when the British Parliament passed the Government of Ireland Act 1920...
.
The Llanelli industrial action was part of the first national railway strike.
Riot
Llanelli railway stationLlanelli railway station
Llanelli railway station is the railway station serving the town of Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is located on the West Wales Line and the Heart of Wales Line...
was the scene for the riots. The Llanelli Riots took place on 19 August 1911. Their immediate cause was the very first Railway Strike which lasted only two days. The strike started on Thursday evening, and by Saturday evening two young men had been shot dead by the Army when a scab
Strikebreaker
A strikebreaker is a person who works despite an ongoing strike. Strikebreakers are usually individuals who are not employed by the company prior to the trade union dispute, but rather hired prior to or during the strike to keep the organisation running...
train was held up. One man was killed when a railway truck exploded and, on the following day, three more people died from their injuries. The story of the Riots is set in a period of great industrial unrest, and involves prominent figures on the international scene such as Lloyd George, Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
, King George V, and Kaiser Wilhelm
Kaiser Wilhelm
Kaiser Wilhelm is a common reference to two German emperors:* Wilhelm I, German Emperor , King of Prussia; became the first Kaiser of a united Germany...
of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
See also
- 1911 in Wales1911 in WalesThis article is about the particular significance of the year 1911 to Wales and its people.-Incumbents:*Prince of Wales - Edward, Prince of Wales, son of King King George V*Princess of Wales - vacant...
- Timeline of Llanelli historyTimeline of Llanelli historyThis article is a timeline of Llanelli history. For a full article on the town, see Llanelli.-1700s:1761 – Oldest map of Llanelli created, where Machynys is shown to be an island.1772 – John Wesley visits Llanelly....
- Tonypandy Riots, 1910-11
- Partition of IrelandPartition of IrelandThe partition of Ireland was the division of the island of Ireland into two distinct territories, now Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland . Partition occurred when the British Parliament passed the Government of Ireland Act 1920...
- Police brutalityPolice brutalityPolice brutality is the intentional use of excessive force, usually physical, but potentially also in the form of verbal attacks and psychological intimidation, by a police officer....