Jobs on offer for the Jarrow Marchers - as long as they were prepared to be cake mixers

The Jarrow March had an unexpected twist as the 200 men marched on towards London.

Almost every one of the crusaders got offers of work as the eye-opening job-rich employment situation in other parts of the country became apparent.

But there was a downside. None of the jobs were in South Tyneside and none of them were suitable for the skill sets of the South Tyneside marchers.

One of the men told the Shields Gazette reporter at the time: “I never imagined so many vacancies existed. The only thing I am sorry about is that I know nothing about cake mixing. The only mixing I understand is steel and I am afraid I would not be very good in the bakery trade.”

Our reporter said: “As we got nearer London the people of the South are making our men more than ever determined to take part in the prosperity which is apparent every side. They do not want to go south learn new trades. They want a share of the industry at home.”

The reporter added: “It is quite clear that there is ample work down here. Town after town through which we pass boasts a record of little or no unemployment and many people with whom I have talked have told me that they have no experience of shortage of work.”

There was a worrying health incident for one of the marchers during the Northampton leg.

“Tragedy nearly marred the pleasure of our stay Northampton when Sam Rowan, the march treasurer, fell down a flight of stairs and collapsed unconscious for a minute or two on the floor,” said the Gazette report.

“For an hour or so the march leaders were greatly perturbed but fortunately after an examination by one of the medical students Mr Julian Cornelius, who had a consultation with a local doctor, it was discovered that Mr Rowan’s collapse was simply due to over work coupled with the shock of the fall.”

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