New trousers, shoes and underwear for the Jarrow marchers as Nottingham extends the hand of friendship
‘Gifts were showered freely upon us. Money cigarettes, sweets, anything the men wanted’
The Jarrow marchers left Nottingham after one of their most pleasant overnight stops - and with new boots, trousers and underwear.
The generosity of local manufacturers stood out and the Shields Gazette reporter said: “They will be more than ever a smartly dressed battalion of marchers.”
The Nottingham Co-operative Society donated 32 pairs of new boots and about one dozen pairs of trousers and socks. Arrangements were also made for nearly 200 sets of underwear to be given the men by two Nottingham businesses, while a firm of manufacturing chemists presented ‘a large stock of medicinal surgical equipment for the use of the two doctors’
Unlike one or two previous stopping points, Nottingham gave a rapturous welcome to the crusaders.
“Although it is one of the most prosperous cities in the country, the people are not lacking in sympathy,” said the reporter.
And when it was time to leave, the marchers had to wend their way through ‘crowds of enthusiastic people who sent them on their way with goodwill.
“Gifts were showered freely upon us. Money cigarettes, sweets, anything the men wanted while many passing motorists offered to take any casualties into the city,” said our report.
Thankfully, none of the crusaders needed medical help at the time even though an unfortunate mistake meant the men walked five miles in the wrong direction, caused accidentally by a policed officer who led them along a detour road.
“On the other road, the cooks were anxiously awaiting us with the mid-day meal of pork pie - half a one pound pie per man with bread and butter, tomatoes and tea.”
The willpower of the men was tested by continuing battles to stay fit. One man, William Cameron from Jarrow, had to go home to have all his teeth pulled out because of infection.
He spoke to the Shields Gazette reporter before he left and said: “I don’t want to go home. I know my teeth ache but I don’t march on my teeth.”
Tell us if a member of your family was one of the Jarrow marchers.
Get in touch to share your own family’s memories by emailing [email protected]