Clyde Workers' Committee member David Kirkwood falls to the ground after being struck by a police officer's baton during a workers' strike at the Battle of George Square in Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland, England, on January 31, 1919.

 　David Kirkwood falls to the ground after being struck by a police officer's baton during a workers' strike at the Battle of George Square in Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland, England, on January 31, 1919. David Kirkwood was struck by a police officer's baton as he ran out of City Hall to appeal for an end to the violence.

 Just months after World War I ended on November 11, 1918, a strike over working hours drew huge crowds to George Square in Glasgow, Scotland. The London government feared the dawn of a full-scale socialist revolution. As a result, the striking crowd was beaten with police batons and the riot act was read out one last time. As a result, the London government took desperate measures to control the city of Glasgow. About 10,000 more troops were deployed to restore order, and six tanks and 100 automobiles were sent to the north. With the revolution in Russia just over a year old and the riots that overthrew the monarchy in Germany shortly after, the London government was shaken by the disturbances in Glasgow.

　On Friday morning, January 31, tens of thousands of people marched to George Square. The red flag, a symbol of Marxist socialism, was brought into the square. Crowds gathered to hear the government's answer by consuls. The government had already rejected the demand for a 40-hour workweek, preferring instead to talk with the official national trade unions. A delegation including Davy Kirkwood and Manny Shinwell of the Clyde Workers Committee (CWC: Clyde Workers Committee) entered City Hall to meet with the Provost.

　Several people tried to overturn the streetcar, banging on the glass and pushing cars. There were approximately 20,000 to 25,000 people in the square. Police charged into the crowd and beat them indiscriminately with batons. Suddenly, Lanarkshire Sheriff A. Mackenzie began reading the riot act, declaring the rally illegal and ordering the crowd to disperse. The rioters retreated to Glasgow Green, where fighting with police continued. Sporadic fighting continued late into the night in several neighborhoods, where trams were smashed, store windows were broken, and merchandise was looted. Gallacher, Kirkwood, Shinwell, and other leaders were arrested. Gallacher was arrested after he jumped on the police chief and was beaten with a baton; six others, including the CWC leader, were brought to trial.

　On February 1, the morning after the riots, armed Scottish Regiment troops patrolled George Square, and machine guns were set up on the roofs of the Post Office and the North British Hotel By February 3, six tanks were parked in the Cattle Market. Troops remained in the city until February 17. The battle for George Square ended the strike after just over a week, and a settlement was reached on the basis of a 47-hour work week.