Roy Pett Poet Rhyme

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 February 23, 2018 at 6:51 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 February 25, 2018 at 5:31 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 February 14, 2018 at 4:39 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 February 22, 2018 at 5:18 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 February 9, 2018 at 6:33 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 February 9, 2018 at 6:59 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. :))