100 pounds of fresh beef in a stew for the hungry Jarrow marchers as they press on for Barnsley
‘One hundred pounds of fresh beef was used, along with large supplies of potatoes, onions, carrots and turnips’
Two hundred hungry men on the march need a lot of feeding.
And as the journey continued, an insight emerged into the amounts of food consumed by the Jarrow crusaders.
A Shields Gazette reporter made this report as the men got ready to leave Wakefield and head for Barnsley in a route of about 10 miles.
“The men were early awake this morning and enjoyed a breakfast of sausage, bread, butter and tea. and immediately set about cleaning their quarters. The use of extra blankets had ensured a good night’s rest for everyone, and they started the day’s work feeling refreshed.
“We remained in Wakefield for the first half of the day and had lunch there as it was considered easier to prepare a meal there than on the roadside. The cook and his assistants set up their quarters in a cemetery and the camp kitchens were ablaze during the morning on top of gravestones.
“Lunch consisted of stew in which about one hundred pounds of fresh beef was used, along with large supplies of potatoes, onions, carrots and turnips. The County Public Assistance Committee met this morning and instructed their officers throughout the West Riding to give the marchers every possible assistance.”
The crusade was becoming a nationwide headline-hitter and the marchers were always appreciative of the backing.
One piece of good news emerged when a crusader named Frank McCourt rejoined the ranks.
He had to spend time in the Ripon Cottage Hospital with enteritis, but recovered.
“His arrival was greeted with cheers,” said our reporter.
Tell us if a member of your family was one of the Jarrow marchers.
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