They've done it! The courageous Jarrow Marchers complete their 300-mile crusade in heroic style
‘Some of them did not know where Jarrow was’
It lasted for 300 miles and a whole month.
But on October 31, 1936, the 200 Jarrow crusaders arrived in London to incredible scenes.
A Shields Gazette reporter was there to witness history being made and sent this story back to South Tyneside.
“Our march over the boundary of the capital was like a triumphant procession. People acclaimed the men of Jarrow as heroes.
“They were received with no less enthusiasm than the crusaders of the middle ages. Women wiped their eyes and the men on the pavements waved a salute as the column swung trimly along streets.”
After spending the night in Hendon, the men then marched to Marble Arch and a meeting was organised in Hyde Park so that the cause of the Jarrow March could be highlighted.
There were plans for the men to watch the Royal procession for the opening of Parliament, and then to have tea in the House of Commons when a non-party group of MPs would discuss further action to promote the aims of the march.
But first there was the matter of the meeting in Hyde Park and 5,000 people watched it.
The sheer size of the struggle facing the South Tynesiders soon became obvious.
Our reporter said: “Gathered round a worn blue and white banner in Hyde Park, 5,000 men and women were told of the tragedy that is Jarrow. Some of them did not know where Jarrow was and others did not know why 200 of its citizens had marched on a crusade to London, but in the autumn sunshine they stood and listened.
“Until the day faded they remained and when at the end it was dusk, and lights through the trees were making a fairyland of Park Lane, a man in the crowd raised his hat above his head.
“’Three cheers for Jarrow,” he cried, and the crowd of Londoners cheered with him, while an old lady prayed aloud.
“God help the poor fellows,” she murmured.
The last day of the march brought rainfall like it hadn’t rained at any point on the march.
“Despite the ordeal, the men remained cheerful. They even sang,” said our reporter.
“There was at least one consoling thought. They were all to have new suits!”