Kinmel Park mutiny facts for kids
American news coverage of the mutiny
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| Date | 4 and 5 March 1919 |
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| Location | Kinmel Park, just outside Abergele, Wales, United Kingdom |
| Participants | Soldiers of the Canadian Expeditionary Force |
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On March 4 and 5, 1919, a series of riots happened at Kinmel Park in Bodelwyddan, near Abergele, North Wales. These events took place in the Canadian part of the military camp, Kinmel Camp. Many believe the riots started because soldiers were delayed in going home. They were also unhappy about being made to work hard by their British officers.
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What Was the Kinmel Park Mutiny?
The Kinmel Park mutiny was a serious protest by Canadian soldiers. It happened shortly after First World War ended. About 15,000 Canadian troops were staying at Kinmel Camp. They were waiting to return to Canada. The soldiers were frustrated by long delays. They were also upset about the poor living conditions at the camp.
Why Did the Soldiers Protest?
The soldiers had been waiting for months to go home. The war had ended in November 1918. But by March 1919, many were still stuck in Wales. A writer named Noel Barbour described the situation in his book Gallant Protesters. He said the soldiers were "stuck in the mud of North Wales."
Life at Kinmel Camp
Conditions at Kinmel Camp were very difficult for the soldiers. They often did not have enough food. There was no coal to heat their huts in the cold weather. Many soldiers had not been paid for over a month. The huts were also very crowded. For example, 42 soldiers might sleep in a hut meant for only 30. This meant they had to take turns sleeping on the floor. Each soldier only had one blanket. Meanwhile, their officers received pay and could leave the camp freely.
What Happened During the Mutiny?
The soldiers' frustration grew because of these problems. On March 4 and 5, 1919, their anger turned into protests. These protests became violent. G. W. L. Nicholson wrote about the event in The Official History of the Canadian Army in the First World War. He explained that the Kinmel mutiny was one of several similar events. These events happened as Canadian troops were sent home after the war.
During the Kinmel Park mutiny, five soldiers sadly died. Twenty-three others were hurt. After the protests, 78 men were arrested. Twenty-five of these soldiers were found guilty of mutiny. They received punishments ranging from short detentions to longer prison sentences.
