The ex-service riot

The ex-servicemen’s riot was about male volunteers who had left Belize to serve in the World War one. They got this name since they were involved in the World War 1; came back and didn’t returned hence living it in their past which accommodates to being ex-servicemen of the war. The 1919 riot evolved due to the fact that they had suffered tremendously, they had to support racist disrespect and exploitation from British military authorities during their experience in the war. Also, after experiencing such terrible experience, on their return to Belize their salary was delayed and they gathered to the rioters as well. The riot was on the streets of Belize Town, whereby over 3,00 residents joined the ex-servicemen. Although the riot was calmed, by Sergeant Major P.H.E. McDonald and Lance Corporal Samuel Haynes, it never completely ended and is still being remembered.

Years ago, male volunteers left Belize to serve in the world war 1. At that time, Belize was not a country of its own. It was a colony of Britain.

The reason for the war was the revolution in rebellion against the “British oppressors”.

The volunteers spent years away 

from their families in dangerous circumstances. The volunteers said” we know that all of this we are doing it for our precious family that we love them and we want a better future”.

In July 1919, 339 members of the contingent returned to the colony.

As a consequence, their salary was delayed which made them very upset. 

 The volunteers shouted “We tiad a dis oppression, tiad a be treated like we less than a white man, tiad a no got nuttn fu eat”. So,they decided to form a rioter in Belize town.

That night two units of the contingent members marched through the center of Belize city; methodically destroying windows of the merchant’s house. 

The ex-servicemen said “we need more people let’s ask some Belizean Residents to join”.   The ex- serviceman asks the Belizean Residents and then soon joined by 3,000 Belizean Residents, who rioted and looted through the night and into the next morning. 

The name was given to them due to the fact that they were soldiers who went to serve for world war 1 and returned back to Belize town.

So, the governor said” the riot is led to declare to marital law…their salaries will be delayed and gather in arms to riot in Belize town too.”

 3,000 residents from Belize Exclaimed,” Lets stand together as one and let’s join these men. We have a plan and we need to make sure it is very effective so it can be accomplished.” 

The government said “ this poor people will waste their time because we have the power to do anything, their voices doesn’t mean nothing.” The 3,000 residents gather with the ex-servicemen. 

One ex-service said “we need to plan this carefully; we need guns, machetes and bombs.” “Yes! Yes! By doing this they will get afraid and pay attention to us” replied one of the residents.