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Jarrow Crusaders

They were strong men of steel In flat caps and hobnail boots, hunger pains all they could feel dressed in Sunday best suits, poor diet of potato and marrow no more ships, unemployment high for folk in northern town of Jarrow, work needed government did deny, Petition signed by many thousands two hundred men three hundred miles Poverty that no one else understands, marchers met with help and smiles, flags and banners above their heads autumnal weather for them to contend hardship ahead little food no beds, a protest that MPs didn't comprehend from Jarrow to London they did march with hope in their minds, sores on feet, to Downing Street via Marble Arch, plight never debated, rejection no treat. Two hundred men marched from Jarrow County Durham to London, started October 5th 1936, reached their destination on October 31st 1936, to deliver a petition asking the Government to create employment for the people on Tyneside, which was totally ignored but remembered by millions today.

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Andrea Dietrich

Date: 2/23/2018 6:51:00 PM

what a sad story. I wonder how they ever got through it!! It sounds like it came right after America's great depression that caused 1/3 of AMerica to be out of work. We can't even realize today how difficult such things can be.

Roy Pett
Date: 2/25/2018 5:31:00 AM

Thanks Andrea, hard times all over the world at that time, the Jarrow marchers believed and so did the majority of the Country thought the Government at the time would take their plight seriously, the outcome was total disrespect, what’s changed? thanks again for your support. :))

Sara Kendrick

Date: 2/14/2018 4:39:00 PM

Wonderful work telling the story of such a plight. I enjoyed reading it today. Thanks for the visit to my page. Sara

Roy Pett
Date: 2/22/2018 5:18:00 AM

Please accept my apologies for not replying sooner Sara, this was due to a short illness nothing serious, unfortunately the plight of those poor people is still relevant today so shameful, thanks again for your support and encouragement. :))

Tom Cunningham

Date: 2/9/2018 6:33:00 AM

Indeed it is remembered Roy, brilliant work and how little has changed since those dark days with uncaring governents in power. Regards Tom

Roy Pett
Date: 2/9/2018 6:59:00 AM

Thanks Tom, really pleased you read and commented on this has I thought you would be knowledgeable on this subject and appreciate the sentiment within this poem, thanks again for your support. :))