The Dawdon Colliery Strike

Jim Ancrum addressing a meeting of miners during the Dawdon Colliery dispute in County Durham in 1929. This occurred when the miners went on strike in protest at new conditions imposed by the coal-owner Lord Londonderry. Their action was not supported by their union, the Durham Miners’ Association, who were also suspicious of the influence of Communists like Jim Ancrum. After fifteen weeks the strikers returned to work having negotiated what historians have called ‘an honourable draw’ with Lord Londonderry.