Red Clydeside: Incredible pictures of tanks and soldiers on the streets of Glasgow

By Finlay Greig
Published 31st Jan 2019, 10:32 GMT
Updated 31st Jan 2019, 11:45 GMT
Tanks and soldiers were deployed on the streets of Glasgow 100 years agoplaceholder image
Tanks and soldiers were deployed on the streets of Glasgow 100 years ago

Today, marks the 100 year anniversary of the event which has become known as the 'Battle of George Square', 'Bloody Friday' and 'Black Friday'.

On January 31, 1919, tanks and soldiers rolled through Glasgow's streets as authorities attempted to quell city workers' demands for a shorter working week and improved working conditions.

Bloody running battles between striking workers, police and armed soldiers took place with Scottish Secretary Robert Munro claiming that the city was in the midst of a 'Bolshevist uprising'.

A red flag is waved by striking crowds in Glasgow's city centreplaceholder image
A red flag is waved by striking crowds in Glasgow's city centre
Protesters were making calls for the working week to be cut down from 47 hours to 40 hours, but some painted the events as a 'Bolshevik uprising'placeholder image
Protesters were making calls for the working week to be cut down from 47 hours to 40 hours, but some painted the events as a 'Bolshevik uprising'
The events took place just months after the end of World War One. Many of the strikers were former soldiers demanding better working conditions.placeholder image
The events took place just months after the end of World War One. Many of the strikers were former soldiers demanding better working conditions.
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