10 Downing, a Union Strike, and the Household Cavalry?

Question

I recall reading in a book (I think it was a Churchill biography) about a protest in the early 20th century in which a bunch of striking union workers (maybe coal miners) were marching through London and came to Downing Street. They turned to head to 10 Downing, which was guarded by one sole policemen, and things looked like they would get ugly.

But just then, a few soldiers from the Household Cavalry next door rode over, dismounted, and drew their swords. The protestors yelled a bit but no one dared to advance.

Does anyone know which book this was in (and what page) or have a site that has more details about this event?

EDIT: I don't think it involved Churchill when he was in #10--pretty sure of that--but was before then. It was in the first 100 odd pages of the book, kind of setting the scene of early 20th Century England.

Well, I did read it. I couldn't make something like that up. But I'm also pretty certain it pre-dated Churchill's time in office, so maybe there is another answer out there. Thanks for your replies.

Answer 1

Not an exact match but the possible origin is from an incident during the period of military mutinies and unrest near the end of and following the First World War.

"An incident occurred however which could have led to severe loss of life with untold consequences. It happened when three thousand demonstrating troops marched on Whitehall in February 1919. On February 8 troops returning to France after a period of leave refused to board for Calais. Orders were given for the railway station to be surrounded by a detachment of Guards. Sir Henry Wilson expressed the fear that there were no troops that could be relied upon to deal with the trouble.

A few hours later the three thousand mutineers marched into Whitehall. From his window Churchill could see the men, who by now had occupied Horse Guards Parade. He was informed by General Fielding that a reserve battalion of Grenadiers and two troops of the Household Cavalry were available. Churchill then asked whether they could be relied upon to obey orders. After an affirmative answer he ordered the General to have his men surround the demonstrators and take them prisoner. The Guards encircled the demonstrators, machine guns trained on them. They then advanced, bayonets at the ready. If the mutineers had not surrendered there could have been a bloodbath. This was one time when Churchill was not eager to be seen with his troops. Later the mighty warrior confessed: 'I remained in my room, a prey to anxiety.'

Answer 2

The Jarrow March was a protest demonstration by unemployed coal and shipyard workers, who walked from Jarrow in Northumberland to London, in order to draw attention to the troubles facing the unemployed during the Depression.

The Great Depression was an economic blight which hit Britain in the 1920s and 1930s. The First World War had battered the nation’s economy, but there was a short period of prosperity after the war, due to ‘restocking’ by industry. In the 1930’s, the Depression caused major unemployment, particularly in the North East of England, where the coal and shipbuilding industries predominated. There was very little Social Security provision, and little chance of alternative employment, causing great hardship, even starvation, to miners, shipworkers and their families.

On 5th October 1936, 200 men, known as the ‘Jarrow Marchers‘ started to walk from Jarrow to lobby Parliament. This procession became known as the ‘Jarrow Crusade’, a term used on banners carried by the marchers. The participants wanted to obtain jobs to support their families and also find recognition and respect for themselves and other workers throughout the country. The marchers had no food or money, but they received great support from the public. Wherever the marchers stopped overnight, local people would give them shelter and food, and even provide them with boots to enable them to continue. The route was 280 miles and took 22 days.

When the marchers arrived in London, they presented a petition of 12,000 signatures, gathered en route. Sadly, the Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, declined to see any of the marchers.

The march achieved nothing but publicity. In 1939, at the outbreak of The Second World War, increased demand for coal and ships brought sufficient work to Jarrow and other affected areas.

The Jarrow March is remembered by Socialists as a landmark in the history of the labour movement, although the Labour Party at the time opposed it.

Answer 3

Total fantasy - it didn't happen. Churchill did deploy troops in South Wales, however, in 1910 against striking miners. He was Home Secretary at the time in Asquith's Liberal Government. (see http://www.whatnextjournal.co.uk/Pages/////History/Nextstep.html - you will have to scroll a good way down)

You may also be thinking of The Siege of Sidney Street in which Churchill was again involved and where he called in a detachment of Scots Guards from the Tower of London (http://www.eastlondonhistory.com/peter%20the%20painter.htm)
That was nothing to do with strikers, however.

Answer 4

I went to Horse-guards Parade in October - as quickly as we've been interior the way he shouted "Stand sparkling of the shelter" - It certainly appeared like he did no longer say the OF so he shouted "Stand sparkling The shelter" i'd think of he replace into shouting "STAND sparkling of the arches" as they generally say "STAND sparkling" once you stand somewhat too on the factor of the horses. stay doesnt realy make gramaricle experience interior the region as they have been already status the the way.