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The Library Modern Records Centre

The General Strike, 1926

This series of slides on the British General Strike of 1926 was put together by Henry Sara using images from newspapers, magazines and other publications. He included a brief introduction on radical protest and the labour movement in Britain, before looking at the General Strike itself. The sequence includes slides which look at media reporting of the strike, and the role (and social status) of strike-breaking volunteers, the police and military. The lecture concludes with an image of a recruiting poster for the British Army and an extract from a speech made by the Prince of Wales in Mansfield (a coal mining area) in 1933: "I always say to young men that the best thing they can do is join the army".

Henry Sara's original captions for these slidesLink opens in a new window are available (please contact us if you are unable to access the information in pdf format).

A selection of contemporary bulletins and reports on the General Strike are also available online.

A short report on the delivery of this lecture to the Padiham Weavers' Association was included in the Burnley Express of 8 March 1933: "The last of the present series of lectures under the auspices of the Weavers' Association was given in the Weavers' Institute last Sunday evening, when the speaker was Mr. Henry Sara, of London. A large number of people were attracted by Mr. Sara's great reputation as a lecturer, and the clever manner in which he dealt with his subject, "Turmoil and struggle," was greatly appreciated. He traced the development of the trade union movement from the days of John Ball up to the revolt in the nature of the General Strike in 1926."

Reproduction for any purpose (publication, exhibition, web display, commercial use, etc.) is only permissible with the consent of the Modern Records Centre. Please contact us for more information.

 

  • A miners' leader takes his coat off: A.J. Cook, secretary of the Miners' Federation
    A miners' leader takes his coat off: A.J. Cook, secretary of the Miners' Federation
  • John Ball preaching. A priest, leader with Wat Tyler. In several respects a precursor of Wycliffe, constantly charged with heresy from 1366. Hanged, drawn and quartered in 1381.
    John Ball preaching. A priest, leader with Wat Tyler. In several respects a precursor of Wycliffe, constantly charged with heresy from 1366. Hanged, drawn and quartered in 1381.
  • Interview between Richard II and the rebels: Wat Tyler and the rebellion of 1381
    Interview between Richard II and the rebels: Wat Tyler and the rebellion of 1381
  • At the Memorial to Tolpuddle Martyrs. The Grand National Consolidated Trades Union organised early in 1834. The Home Secretary in March arrested six Dorchester labourers. Sentenced to seven years transportation.
    At the Memorial to Tolpuddle Martyrs. The Grand National Consolidated Trades Union organised early in 1834. The Home Secretary in March arrested six Dorchester labourers. Sentenced to seven years transportation.
  • Protest meeting, 1834
    Protest meeting, 1834
  • Procession of Charter 1842
    Procession of Charter 1842
  • T. Duncombe presenting to House of Commons the petition, 1842
    T. Duncombe presenting to House of Commons the petition, 1842
  • Ernest Jones (1819-1869) born of British parents in Berlin. Joined Chartists in 1845. Imprisoned 1848-50 on account of his insurrectionary agitation. Wrote poem 'The Song of the Lower Classes'.
    Ernest Jones (1819-1869) born of British parents in Berlin. Joined Chartists in 1845. Imprisoned 1848-50 on account of his insurrectionary agitation. Wrote poem 'The Song of the Lower Classes'.
  • Robert Owen
    Robert Owen
  • Robert Owen's Labour Note
    Robert Owen's Labour Note
  • Labour Representation: Right Hon. Thomas Burt, M.P. Was on the Treasury Bench and a Privy Councillor. Gave evidence on Commission on Mines and the employment of children in Mines. Leading official of the National Union of Miners.
    Labour Representation: Right Hon. Thomas Burt, M.P. Was on the Treasury Bench and a Privy Councillor. Gave evidence on Commission on Mines and the employment of children in Mines. Leading official of the National Union of Miners.
  • Alexander MacDonald, also leading official of the National Union of Miners. Entered Parliament together with Burt in 1874.
    Alexander MacDonald, also leading official of the National Union of Miners. Entered Parliament together with Burt in 1874.
  • Building the Movement: Harry Gosling on Tower Hill
    Building the Movement: Harry Gosling on Tower Hill
  • Will Thorne doing 'propaganda'
    Will Thorne doing 'propaganda'
  • Ben Tillett doing 'propaganda'
    Ben Tillett doing 'propaganda'
  • Keir Hardie doing 'propaganda'
    Keir Hardie doing 'propaganda'
  • Council of Action, 1920, threatening a strike against a war by Poland against Russia
    Council of Action, 1920, threatening a strike against a war by Poland against Russia
  • Cardiff Congress at which the Trades Union Council was set up
    Cardiff Congress at which the Trades Union Council was set up
  • The Labour Government 1924: Sidney Webb and Roden Buxton
    The Labour Government 1924: Sidney Webb and Roden Buxton
  • 1926 strike will mean a Loot
    1926 strike will mean a Loot
  • Herbert Smith, T. Richards, A.J. Cook and W.P. Richardson attending the Royal Commission on the Coal Industry, 1926
    Herbert Smith, T. Richards, A.J. Cook and W.P. Richardson attending the Royal Commission on the Coal Industry, 1926
  • A broken-down mine
    A broken-down mine
  • Applying the spark to the gunpowder: 'When putting a match to a dangerous explosive it is useless to ask it not to make a noise'.
    Applying the spark to the gunpowder: 'When putting a match to a dangerous explosive it is useless to ask it not to make a noise'.
  • Strike Bulletin, Tuesday May 4th 1926
    Strike Bulletin, Tuesday May 4th 1926
  • Back page of same bulletin
    Back page of same bulletin
  • The National Strike, 1926: Outside the T.U.C. Headquarters
    The National Strike, 1926: Outside the T.U.C. Headquarters
  • Scene at Blackfriars Road
    Scene at Blackfriars Road
  • Awaiting News at Downing Street
    Awaiting News at Downing Street
  • Message from the Prime Minister
    Message from the Prime Minister
  • The British Gazette
    The British Gazette
  • The Great 'Hold Up' leaflet
    The Great 'Hold Up' leaflet
  • Hundreds of volunteers waiting to enroll at the Foreign Office
    Hundreds of volunteers waiting to enroll at the Foreign Office
  • The City workers walk to work. We take our hats off to the Office Workers, who still contrived to get there somehow at some time.
    The City workers walk to work. We take our hats off to the Office Workers, who still contrived to get there somehow at some time.
  • Motorists kindly aid strangers
    Motorists kindly aid strangers
  • Victoria Embankment during the strike. Cars were recruited to bring the City workers from home to business.
    Victoria Embankment during the strike. Cars were recruited to bring the City workers from home to business.
  • We take our hats off to the Volunteers who automobilised our motor buses
    We take our hats off to the Volunteers who automobilised our motor buses
  • Some 'General' Favourites: From Oxford and other 'Health Resorts'
    Some 'General' Favourites: From Oxford and other 'Health Resorts'
  • The Light Hearted Bus Driver
    The Light Hearted Bus Driver
  • The Chief Civil Commissioner, whose motto was 'Keep them fed, not fed-up'
    The Chief Civil Commissioner, whose motto was 'Keep them fed, not fed-up'
  • A Handle Movement. Lord Weymouth (left) and Mr Phillips put a lot of expression into their work. They are starting up the railway van which they drove at Paddington.
    A Handle Movement. Lord Weymouth (left) and Mr Phillips put a lot of expression into their work. They are starting up the railway van which they drove at Paddington.
  • The Police
    The Police
  • Police rescuing van
    Police rescuing van
  • Armed food convoy
    Armed food convoy
  • Armed food convoy
    Armed food convoy
  • Polo players
    Polo players
  • The New Force of the Civil Constabulary Reserve drilling in Charterhouse Square
    The New Force of the Civil Constabulary Reserve drilling in Charterhouse Square
  • In Whitehall. A group of 'workers' at the Ministry of Transport's 'park' at the Horse Guards Parade.
    In Whitehall. A group of 'workers' at the Ministry of Transport's 'park' at the Horse Guards Parade.
  • Special Peelers. Volunteer workers busy on the preparation for the mid-day meal at the YWCA headquarters in Hyde Park. Lady Carmichael Anstruther, Lady Mary Ashley-Cooper.
    Special Peelers. Volunteer workers busy on the preparation for the mid-day meal at the YWCA headquarters in Hyde Park. Lady Carmichael Anstruther, Lady Mary Ashley-Cooper.
  • 'They also serve'. Miss Gower convoying sausages and mash at Hyde Park. The volunteers were as good trenchermen as they were workers.
    'They also serve'. Miss Gower convoying sausages and mash at Hyde Park. The volunteers were as good trenchermen as they were workers.
  • Lady Malcolm who was a waitress in Hyde Park. The canteens were reminiscent of war days.
    Lady Malcolm who was a waitress in Hyde Park. The canteens were reminiscent of war days.
  • Washing Day. Mrs Laurie hard at work in the YMCA in Hyde Park. She is the wife of Lieutenant Colonel Laurie, head of the mounted branch of the Metropolitan Police.
    Washing Day. Mrs Laurie hard at work in the YMCA in Hyde Park. She is the wife of Lieutenant Colonel Laurie, head of the mounted branch of the Metropolitan Police.
  • Busily serving out rations. Lady Louis Mountbatten, Lady F. Forbes, Lady Gisborough, the Right Hon. Mrs E. Fitzgerald, Captain Bundock, Captain Peebles Chaplin.
    Busily serving out rations. Lady Louis Mountbatten, Lady F. Forbes, Lady Gisborough, the Right Hon. Mrs E. Fitzgerald, Captain Bundock, Captain Peebles Chaplin.
  • A special driver. Mrs Marshall Roberts who is well known in the polo world. She enrolled as a special constable in order to drive a police car.
    A special driver. Mrs Marshall Roberts who is well known in the polo world. She enrolled as a special constable in order to drive a police car.
  • With the car fleet. Mr C.H. Reed (left) discussing with Lord Airlie. Working at Transport Ministry's Car Park.
    With the car fleet. Mr C.H. Reed (left) discussing with Lord Airlie. Working at Transport Ministry's Car Park.
  • Captain Hope, a special air pilot at Croydon
    Captain Hope, a special air pilot at Croydon
  • At the Car Park Lord Curzon volunteers
    At the Car Park Lord Curzon volunteers
  • Lord Curzon's car on strike
    Lord Curzon's car on strike
  • Lord Monkwell at Marylebone
    Lord Monkwell at Marylebone
  • Young men with a pull at Bletchley
    Young men with a pull at Bletchley
  • The Master of the Cambridge University Drag Hounds acting as a porter at Dover entirely without leave of TUC.
    The Master of the Cambridge University Drag Hounds acting as a porter at Dover entirely without leave of TUC.
  • Undergraduates exchange the pen for the hammer
    Undergraduates exchange the pen for the hammer
  • The gold blue three of Cambridge Dover
    The gold blue three of Cambridge Dover
  • The volunteers who followed the right lines
    The volunteers who followed the right lines
  • Accumulated Mail at Paddington
    Accumulated Mail at Paddington
  • Welsh Guardsmen in fighting order being transported in charabancs after a day in the East End
    Welsh Guardsmen in fighting order being transported in charabancs after a day in the East End
  • Naval Ratings at Glasgow Docks. Boats unloaded by students.
    Naval Ratings at Glasgow Docks. Boats unloaded by students.
  • Food convoy under escort
    Food convoy under escort
  • Food convoy under escort
    Food convoy under escort
  • Daily Express
    Daily Express
  • The real British workman who has sorted himself out from the make believe article imported from abroad
    The real British workman who has sorted himself out from the make believe article imported from abroad
  • Minister of Transport Colonel Wilfred Ashley M.P.
    Minister of Transport Colonel Wilfred Ashley M.P.
  • Colonel Wilfred Ashley MP thanking volunteers with Lord Curzon
    Colonel Wilfred Ashley MP thanking volunteers with Lord Curzon
  • Clerks grooming L.M.S. horses
    Clerks grooming L.M.S. horses
  • Civil Police
    Civil Police
  • Lord Mayor thanking Specials. It was decided to maintain a thousand strong.
    Lord Mayor thanking Specials. It was decided to maintain a thousand strong.
  • 'You have done your work magnificently': Colonel Fox
    'You have done your work magnificently': Colonel Fox
  • City Specials, among which a number of undergraduates
    City Specials, among which a number of undergraduates
  • Returning blankets from Hyde Park to Army Stores
    Returning blankets from Hyde Park to Army Stores
  • Checking and packing armlets used during the strike
    Checking and packing armlets used during the strike
  • Tram starting
    Tram starting
  • The Guards, May 18th, back to Aldershot.
    The Guards, May 18th, back to Aldershot.
  • A man who can really govern (Stanley Baldwin)
    A man who can really govern (Stanley Baldwin)
  • Pugh, Citrine, and Baldwin after calling off the General Strike
    Pugh, Citrine, and Baldwin after calling off the General Strike
  • A.J. Cook
    A.J. Cook
  • Nottingham and Derbyshire over 7,000 men returned in August 1926. Siging on at Mansfield.
    Nottingham and Derbyshire over 7,000 men returned in August 1926. Siging on at Mansfield.
  • Leaving the pits after work
    Leaving the pits after work
  • After the first shift
    After the first shift
  • Eton and Harrow luncheon interval
    Eton and Harrow luncheon interval
  • A Miner in the Pit
    A Miner in the Pit
  • Somerset
    Somerset
  • Trade union march against Trade Union Bill
    Trade union march against Trade Union Bill
  • The Spoof Prince, Johannesburg
    The Spoof Prince, Johannesburg
  • Prince of Wales at Pretoria
    Prince of Wales at Pretoria
  • Prince's Full Day
    Prince's Full Day
  • 'I always say to young men that the best thing they can do is to join the Army' - Prince of Wales, at Mansfield Social Centre, Saturday Feb.11th 1933.
    'I always say to young men that the best thing they can do is to join the Army' - Prince of Wales, at Mansfield Social Centre, Saturday Feb.11th 1933.

[Document reference for this set of slides: MSS.15B/5/1/6]