09. Memorial - Transvaal Scottish Regiment - Rand Revolt - March 1922

The Rand Rebellion of 1922 was an armed uprising that is also referred to as the Rand/Red Revolt. It occurred during a period of economic depression following World War I, when mining companies were faced with rising costs and a fall in the price of gold. On 8 March, led by semi-skilled Afrikaner miners, white workers attempted to take over the Johannesburg post office and the power station, but they met with stout resistance from the police, and the day ended in fights between white strikers and black miners. Martial law was proclaimed and burgher commandos were called up from the surrounding districts. On Saturday, 11 March, the Reds attacked a small detachment of the Imperial Light Horse at Ellis Park in Doornfontein, which sustained serious losses, and, on their way to the East Rand, the Transvaal Scottish marched into an ambush at Dunswart, sustaining heavy losses. The rebels searched citizens passing through Jeppestown and Fordsburg and sniped at those they thought were supporters of the mine management, as well as many policemen on duty in the streets. On Sunday, 12 March, military forces and citizens attacked the rebels holding out on the Brixton ridge and took 2,200 prisoners. The next day government troops led by General van Deventer relieved the besieged police garrisons in Brakpan and Benoni. On 15 March, the artillery bombarded the strikers' stronghold at Fordsburg Square and in the afternoon, it fell to the government. BACKEBERG H.W. GUY E. MACLEOD A. FRONEMAN L. GODDARD E.S. IRELAND G.F. MACHAN R.P. MARSHALL F.B. OVENS R.B.
contributed by: Derek Walker
viewed 1116 times
09. Memorial - Transvaal Scottish Regiment - Rand Revolt - March 1922