Studio 1: Mutiny

The biggest revolt in the history of the British Army occurred during 1919 involving hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Massive mutinies by stroppy soldiers humiliated generals, terrified politicians and undermined the British Empire. British, Dominion and Colonial troops who had mostly obeyed their officers during the First World War decided that enough was enough. They demanded an end to military bullshit, speedy demobilisation and much, much more – and they mostly got what they wanted! In Bristol and elsewhere, the mutinous murmuration challenges the deferential image of the British Tommy rank and file that continues to be recycled via official anniversary commemorations of British involvement in the First World War.

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