Workers International Relief Activists

Dawdon men and women in the Co-operative Hall during the dispute. The placards
explain their case and the efforts of Workers’ International Relief.

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.

Photo of a Workers International Relief Strikers Canteen in use during the Lancashire Cotton Strikes of the early 1930s

Workers’ International Relief (WIR), an initiative of the Comintern, was also active during the strikes in the Yorkshire and Lancashire textile industries in 1930. This picture was taken there. Jim Ancrum, a W.I.R. organiser during the strikes is standing on the right and wearing a cap.