Canadian troops riot in Sussex

[wilkokcl]

I hope this writing may be of interest to anyone familiar with Seaford in Sussex. My family ran a boys preparatory school there called St Wilfrid's from before WWI and I have many memories of life there. During WWI Seaford appears to have been besieged with soldiers and it seems action was never far away:

“The school has become a camp for the Ulster Division, who have pitched their tents around it: the gym has become an Officers’ Mess, and the officers also use the school for their baths! YMCA and the Salvation Army canteen huts confront us from the 3rd games field. Later on one of the fields is turned into the official running ground for the Canadian Army, and we catch a glimpse of the boys seated gloriously on the roof to watch the Canadian Forces’ Championships. We see Mr Pearson (the headmaster) perform what he still considers to be the bravest act of his life, when he referees a regimental football match.

A reminder of these times is the flagstaff still in front of the school, for before it flew the St Wilfrid’s flag in 1923, it flew that of the Ulster Division until 1915, of the Canadian Division from 1915-19 and of the Machine Gun Corps from 1919-1922.

The war years pass: it is 1919 and Mr Hall is back from the RNVR. During one of the holidays a mutiny breaks out among the Canadian troops stationed in Seaford. They assault their officers, petrify the inadequate local police and indulge in general destruction and looting. Help is demanded from London, but one evening a howling mob smashes its way around the town and is soon heard approaching the silent precincts of St Wilfrid’s. In the darkness behind the front door stands Mr Hall, a loaded 12 bore gun in his hand, firmly resolved that if the place is to be wrecked it shall not be without a struggle. Nearer and nearer come the rioters, right to the corner of Sutton Avenue, when by the mercy of providence they turn off in a different direction, leaving St Wilfrid’s intact and Mr Hall to put away his gun……”

If anyone has any information or photographs related to the events described here I would love to hear from you. I am sure the young boys at the school had a wonderful time watching it all going on around them!

Mark.

[Terry Denham]

Great story.

I spent most of a whole day in Seaford Cemetery last week photographing the 300 or so war graves - mostly Canadian.

Seaford was also the location of the base for the British West Indies Regiment.

[weightmanrm]

Very interesting story.

As you have requested photos etc, I have attached a copy of a postcard which was sent by my Great Uncle, W E Holmes, who passed through Seaford.

He enlisted in Toronto, arrived in Seaford on 5/4/18, was transferred to the CMG Pool on 20/8/18, and to the 2nd CMGC on 11/9/18. He was killed near Cambrai on 9/10/18 by a direct hit from a shell.

Hopefully you will be able see the postcard is of the interior of Canadian YMCA Hut 1 Seaford and appears to be decked out with Christmas decorations, and British and US flags.

Hope this is of interest........ Richard

[wilkokcl]

Glad you like the story Terry & Richard - I love the idea of the teachers standing there, surrounded by small boys, ready to shoot anyone that walked through the door!

Great photo - is that the one on St Wilfrid's playing field I wonder?

Mark

[jhill]

The Canadian Engineers were major tennants at Seaford for much of the War. Sappers (including Railway Troops) trained there before going to France. After the armistice there was an attempt to provide educational classes to prepare the men for civilian life. As shipping became available the men were shipped to Kinmel Park and thence to Canada.

There were a number of disturbances in 1919, the best known of which were at kinmel. Some incidents at Seaford are hinted at in the diary of the 3rd Canadian Engineers Training Battalion for May, which you can find here .

There are some photos of the Canadians at Seaford at the Canadian Archives, for example here .

[Borden Battery]

Here is an edited excerpt from the 2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade's war diary. Note the excessive number of delays in transport back to Canada and the endless documents and medical tests..

There would be no excuse for any mutiny, however, the following should provide a sense of the anticident conditions.

Borden Battery

==================================================

Sat., Mar 8, 1919 WEYMOUTH, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Disembarked at WEYMOUTH about 09.00 hours where all ranks were provided with breakfast and a haversack lunch at ALEXANDER GARDENS. Entrained for SEAFORD and arrived at 16.00 hours.

The Brigade was met by C.M.G. Depot Band and marched to Camp in the C.M.G.D. Lines.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Sun., Mar 9, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “E” Battery.

Clean of [equipment] settling into quarters.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Mon., Mar 10, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “A” Battery.

Arrangements made for whole Brigade to proceed on leave for 7 days on the 13th inst.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Tue., Mar 11, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “B” Battery.

Clothing parade for all Other Ranks. All men fully clothed and equipped.

Struck off strength and posted to C.M.G. Depot – 14 Other Ranks.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Wed., Mar 12, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “C” Battery.

Inspection of the Brigade on the Oval at SEAFORD by G.O.C., Canadians, Seaford Area.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Sat., Mar 22, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “B” Battery.

Preparation of discharge and embarkation documents.

Taken on strength – LIEUT. E. B. SMITH, MC., DCM.

Struck off strength – 31 Other Ranks.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Sun., Mar 23, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “C” Battery.

Medical Board and preparation of discharge and embarkation documents.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Mon., Mar 24, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “D” Battery.

Medical and Dental Boards. Preparation of discharge and embarkation documents.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Tue., Mar 25, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “E” Battery.

Medical and Dental Boards. Preparation of discharge and embarkation documents.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Wed., Mar 26, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “A” Battery.

Medical and Dental Boards. Preparation of discharge and embarkation documents.

Strength (Decrease) - MAJOR W.T. TRENCH, MC) - Struck off strength and posted to C.M.G.C.R.D.

LIEUT. M.R. LEVEY, MM. ) - FRANCE, on UNIT proceeding to England.

LIEUT. G.A. MARSHALL. )

13 Other Ranks. )

26 Other Ranks - On transfer to C.M.G. Depot.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Thu., Mar 27, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “B” Battery.

Preparation of discharge and embarkation documents.

Medical Inspection and Board of all officers.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Fri., Mar 28, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “C” Battery.

Preparation of discharge and embarkation documents.

Signing of D.O.S.2 by all Other Ranks and completion of clothing and equipment from Q.M. Stores.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Sat., Mar 29, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “D” Battery.

Preparation of discharge and embarkation documents.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Sun., Mar 30, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “E” Battery.

Preparation of discharge and embarkation documents.

Final Medical and Dental Boards for the Brigade.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Mon., Mar 31, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “A” Battery.

Preparation of discharge and embarkation documents.

Lecture by the Officer i/c. Seaford Khaki College on Canadian Civil re-establishment and Land Settlement.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Tue., Apr 1, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “B” Battery.

Preparation of Discharge and Embarkation documents.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Wed., Apr 2, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “C” Battery.

Preparation of Discharge and Embarkation documents.

Ceremonial parade in order to test the sizing and general appearance of the Brigade.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Thu., Apr 3, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “D” Battery.

Presentation of King’s and Regimental Colours to Brigade by Lady Perley.

An account of the ceremony and giving photographs was published in “CANADA” on April 12th.

A copy is appended in Original and Triplicate.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Fri., Apr 4, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “E” Battery.

Preparation of Discharge and Embarkation documents.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Sat., Apr 5, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “A” Battery.

Preparation of Discharge and Embarkation documents.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Sun., Apr 6, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “B” Battery.

Route march with C.M.G. Depot Band in attendance during the morning.

Preparation of Discharge and Embarkation documents.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Mon., Apr 7, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “C” Battery.

Preparation of Discharge and Embarkation documents.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Tue., Apr 8, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “D” Battery.

Preparation of Discharge and Embarkation documents.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Wed., Apr 9, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Owing to postponement of sailing until 19th inst. a special pay parade with entries on Last Pay Certificates was arranged and whole Brigade allowed to proceed on leave.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Thu, Apr 10, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Owing to postponement of sailing until 19th inst. a special pay parade with entries on Last Pay Certificates was arranged and whole Brigade allowed to proceed on leave.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Fri., Apr 18, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Owing to further postponement until 26th inst. Leave extended until Midnight 23rd inst.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Sun., Apr 20, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Owing to further postponement until 26th inst. Leave extended until Midnight 23rd inst.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Wed., Apr 23, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Owing to further postponement until 30th inst. Leave again extended until Midnight 26th inst.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Sat., Apr 26, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Owing to further postponement until 30th inst. Leave again extended until Midnight 26th inst.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Mon., Apr 28, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “D” Battery.

Medical Inspection of all Other Ranks of the Brigade.

Dispersal Area Parade. Preparation of Discharge and Embarkation documents.

Clothing inspection and exchange of all clothing requiring same.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Tue., Apr 29, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “E” Battery.

Dispersal Area Parade and thorough inspection of all arms.

Notification received from H.Q., Canadians, Seaford, that the sailing of the “CEDRIC” was postponed until May 9th, but that accommodation had been obtained for the Brigade on the “MINNEKHADA” was due to sail on May 3rd.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

Wed., Apr 30, 1919 CAMP SEAFORD, SUSSEX, ENGLAND

2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade

Duty Battery of the Day – “A” Battery.

Dispersal Area Parade. Completion of Nominal Rolls and of Discharge and Embarkation documents.

--- signed Lieut.-Colonel Henry F. Meurling

[Moonraker]

There were a number of disturbances in 1919, the best known of which were at kinmel.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Here and there in the Forum I've posted details of disturbances in Wiltshire in 1919 involving Australians, New Zealanders and Britishers. There was also unrest among RAF units in the New Forest area. The main causes were impatience at being demobbed and shipped home. Some of the British offenders at Chisledon had never served overseas and dispersed when machine guns were trained on them. At Durrington in July 1919, men of the 3rd West Yorkshire refused to parade with fighting equipment, and 15 received between 9 and 21 months' hard labour, remitted to nine months.

Moonraker

[wilkokcl]

Great details on Seaford - for a relatively small seaside town, it must have been a hive of activity.

Does anyone have any information on where the troops were in Seaford? - the diaries mention places such as "Headquarters" and "Camp" so I wonder where they were. In the grounds of the school?

Mark.

[ypres1418]

Terry first, you should have let me know you were in town! we could have met up for coffee!!!!

Mark,

I'll ask round but I think St Wilfreds is now Newlands Boarding School, will let you know.

We had two camps north and south, one of the local roads is called North Camp Road and there is still one of the huts left standing and has an elderly lady living in it. Have been in it once and I hope that when she dies (which i hope isn't too soon) that the local Martello Towers Museum will be able to buy and restore it to its former glory, but that is something we will have to wait and see.

I know that also there were many of the big homes here used and will try to find out more for you,

Mandy

[wilkokcl]

I'll ask round but I think St Wilfreds is now Newlands Boarding School, will let you know

.

I wish it was! The school changed hands and was closed in the early 1980s. It was a large house on the corner of Sutton Avenue with surrounding games fields. Enlightened people flattened the lot and built modern houses on it all. I'm now researching and writing a history of the school.

I have many photos of it and would be most interested to know where exactly the troops were. The school was also used by American troops in WWII who added a bar to the main building. I am told it was the 1950s before a blackboard in one classroom was replaced as it had a bullet hole in one corner!

Thanks for the interest,

Mark.

[ypres1418]

Mark,

if you need any help let me know and I'll glady do anything I can for you.

So where in East Sussex are you? you can pm me the answer if you wish or keep it a secret I don't mind.

Mandy

[Guest]

The school was used as a military hospital during the ww1 . Are there any records of this ?

[BullerTurner]

The other infamous Canadian riot took place in Epsom. 400 Canadian soldiers rioted and attacked the police station on 17 June 1919, Station-Sergeant Green of the local police, died of his injuries the following day.

[Moonraker]

Even more infamous were the

Kinmel Park riots

 

Moonraker