Braunston Strike
The connection between steamers and the Braunston Strike is fairly tenuous but at least two FMC steamers and one ex-steamer were involved. The newly-formed Transport & General Workers Union effectively brought the depots of Fellows, Morton & Clayton Ltd to a standstill in 1923.
To read Ken Sherwood’s detailed research into the strike, its causes, effects and outcome, click here.
The photographs of the Braunston Strike are a fascinating pictorial record of the period. An article investigating the identity of the photographer was published in the Spring 2012 edition of NarrowBoat. This article was followed by two letters; one from Laurence Hogg in the Summer 2012 edition and another from Michael Young in the Winter 2012 edition
The photographs fall into several categories, divided according to their identifying inscriptions.
The "H" numbers:- Some are still missing - are they in your attic?
The photographs are thumbnails - click on them to bring up a larger image
H139
Line of boats by the Brickfield, looking towards the bottom lock.
The central bows-on boat appears to be Midland and Coast's Scholar (see H157) with FMC's Persia directly behind.
(Dennis Ashby Collection)
H140
Opposite the towing path bridge over the arm that used to lead to the Oxford Canal. Butcher's Bridge in the background
FMC's Penguin and Lynx
(Scan from Richard Roberts, original in private collection in USA)
H141
Taken from the towing path bridge, looking up the arm.
FMC Steamer HECLA is in the foreground, alongside Thomas Henry Green's Rose Agnes with FMC's Lemon on the diagonal
Steamer SPEEDWELL in the background by the sheds
(BW192/3/2/2/12/1/37 Canal & River Trust Archives, Ellesmere Port)
H142
Looking towards the A45 road bridge. Note the photographer's shadow in the foreground
John Walker's butty Princess Mary with the motor Christine
(Dennis Ashby Collection)
H143
Looking towards the Stop House
FMC's Natal and Kilsby, chained to the towpath edge
(Dennis Ashby Collection)
H144
Same location as H143.
FMC's Urmston with Natal's cabin in the left foreground
(Dennis Ashby Collection)
H150
By the brickfield
John Walker's Prosperous, tied up outside another horse boat, with two FMC craft.
(Scan from Richard Roberts, original in private collection in USA)
H151
Opposite the arm entrance
FMC's steamer SPEEDWELL loaded with 17 tons of sugar.
(R2351 Canal & River Trust Archives, Ellesmere Port)
H155
Taken from the stoplock, with the towpath bridge over the arm entrance to the right
FMC's Australia, loaded with coke, with Denmark and Aire opposite
(Dennis Ashby Collection)
H157
Taken from the towpath bridge looking into the arm.
Midland and Coast's Jupiter and Mars, with possibly their Cassandra and Scholar alongside.
FMC's motor Lion is by the sheds in the background
(Dennis Ashby Collection)
H158
The railway bridge is in the centre background
FMC's Japan and Kilsby with Urmston to the extreme left
(Dennis Ashby Collection)
H159
Compare with H155 above
(Dennis Ashby Collection)
H160
By the brickfield looking towards the bottom lock.
FMC's Quebec is on the left
(Dennis Ashby Collection)
H161
In the arm looking towards the towpath bridge in the background
FMC's steamer SPEEDWELL has been brought into the arm to be unloaded.
(Dennis Ashby Collection)
H162
In the arm looking towards the towpath bridge in the background
FMC's steamer SPEEDWELL has been brought into the arm to be unloaded.
Policemen are standing watching
(BW192/3/1/26/2/3 also BW192189/2/2/9 in Canal & River Trust Archives, Ellesmere Port)
H163
In the arm looking towards the towpath bridge in the background
FMC's steamer SPEEDWELL has been brought into the arm to be unloaded.Police reinforcements
are blocking the road. Mr Harris lies on the ground with Mr Brooks and Mr Mac Anderson standing over him
(BW192/3/1/28/5 also BW197/2/2/3 in Canal & River Trust Archives, Ellesmere Port)
H165
The funeral procession in Cross Lane, Braunston, of Joseph Green of FMC's Flint on 27th September 1923
(Frank Ray)
H166
Some of the boating families gathered under the railway viaduct.
(Frank Ray)
H167
The funeral procession of Joseph Green passing Braunston Church.
(Lizzie Green)