Jarrow marcher went to the doctor to see if he was dead as his rumoured funeral was being planned back home

Possibly the strangest story to emerge from the Jarrow March centred on Thomas Rumford who was one of the crusaders.

While he marched with his colleagues through Loughborough he got word from home that he was "dead" and about to be buried.

Thankfully, Thomas was not and rumours of his demise which were circulating in South Tyneside were greatly exaggerated.

The Shields Gazette reporter explained in a 1936 story: "This morning he got a letter from home saying that Sunday a young woman from South Shields had called at his house and said she was an old friend and asked to be allowed to attend his funeral. She was in tears and said that the story had been circulated in South Shields that Rumford was dead and was to be buried on Monday."

It came as quite a surprise to Thomas who told our reporter: "I feel alive anyway. But to make sure I went to see one of our doctors. He agrees with me that at any rate I do appear to be still living."

The mood on the march was in high spirits, especially after the people of Loughborough showed huge generosity.

"The crowd which thronged the Town Hall steps cheered wildly and waved handkerchiefs as the column left the town, on its way to Leicester.

"After a comfortable night in the Drill Hall the men enjoyed a breakfast of pressed beef, bread and butter and tea after which the Mayor gave each man a large packet of cigarettes.

"Among other gifts were several boxes of apples and a large supply of sweets and biscuits. The general health of the men is good and they are recovering from the colds they caught between Chesterfield and Mansfield when they were caught in a thunderstorm."

Another humorous story emerged from the Loughborough section of the march.

Our reporter added: “The journey to Loughborough was marked by one of those coincidences that would not occur again in 100 marches. The bus carrying the baggage was travelling on ahead when it overtook a car which had broken down, and was being pushed laboriously.

“The driver of the bus pulled up immediately' and offered to tow the broken down car. The driver accepted offer with delight, then astonished everyone declaring, after seeing the words "Jarrow Crusade"" on the bus side.

"I'm a Jarrow man. you know. “I'm Hugh Morris." he declared "I used to live in Tyne Street, and Commercial Road. Any old friends here?”

“A number of men the bus remembered Morris.”

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