Spirits high as the Jarrow marchers get within 30 miles of London

The mood of the Jarrow marchers changed as their great crusade grew ever closer to their destination of London.

Their spirits were high but so was the sense of responsibility, that they were representing a great town.

“Now less than 30 miles from London, every one of the men is anxious to get to the capital,” said the Shields Gazette reporter at the time, “because once there they will know that their burden of responsibility, of upholding the dignity of their ancient town, has passed in the main into other hands.

“Every possible effort has been expended to see that they do not have a dud minute in London, but in spite of this attraction they are not forgetting the great object of their effort. The presenting of the petition.”

One unexpected boost for the marchers was the return of one of their colleagues. Robert Winship had been in the Sheffield General Hospital for 10 days with malaria.

“He came back last night for the final stages and looks fit and well,” said the Shields Gazette reporter. “He is anxious to start walking at once, but he will not be allowed, as the doctors have ordered him to rest for at least a day.”

Robert, like all of the other marchers, were determined to do Jarrow proud.

“When we march into the capital,” said our reporter, “the men will be the very opposite of ill-clad and underfed. Last night, in preparation for the last stages of our journey, boots, socks, jackets and shirts were given out and every man will enter the city looking smart and conscious of the dignity of his mission.”