Arguably every old document or piece of ephemera that I purchase offers a window onto a time past, but sometimes it’s like finding tiny jigsaw pieces that begin to make a picture, or a key that unlocks a long forgotten door. That’s how I feel about a recent acquisition, a small collection of documents, that offer an insight into a turbulent period in British history, the General Strike of 1926.
The General Strike was called by the Trade Union Congress in May 1926 in support of the coal miners who’d found themselves in a desperate situation. In the economic aftermath of the Great War coal miners’ wages were spiraling down and their working hours were increasing as mine owners sought to protect their profits in the face of increased competition and economic instability. The Miners Federation of Great Britain had rejected the terms offered by the mine owners, “Not a penny off the pay, not a minute on the day“.
Following the breakdown of negotiations the General Strike was called on May 3rd with 1.7 million workers joining the strike. The Government responded by enlisting volunteers to maintain essential services, and, in anticipation of possible disorder, began to recruit a militia of Special Constables.
The documents I discovered shed some light on the process of recruitment of Special Constables in the Brecon area at the time of the General Strike.
The County of Brecon Warrant Card (Special Constabulary Force) was issued to Molyneux F Thomas on May 13th 1926. Molyneux Frederick Thomas (1867-1939) was a local solicitor who’d served during the Great War as an officer with the South Wales Borderers. He also served as Clerk to the Brecon Guardians, and was Sub Divisional Commissioner with the Breconshire Constabulary. I believe that these papers once belonged to Thomas.
A small locally printed booklet, Instructions to Special Constables, details the duties and lists matters such as Breach of the peace, Explosions, Homicide, Infernal Machines etc. A typical entry is “BRIDGES (lines of communication) etc, – Watch carefully to prevent destruction.” Another entry reads “INFERNAL MACHINES – Quench or disconnect fuse; if burning, place in water. Remove to as safe a place as possible. Send information to Police Station.”
A typewritten order requests “Fourteen Special Constables are required for duty at the Powder Works at Ystradfellte to relieve the Hay contingent.” This refers to the Glynneath Gunpowder Works which would have been one of the most sensitive establishments in the area and perhaps typical of the premises that Special Constables would be expected to protect. The works were established in 1857 to manufacture blasting powder for use in the South Wales’ coalfield. The site ceased production in 1931 and fell into disrepair. The surviving ruins can be visited today.
A handwritten note by MF Thomas dated 12th May 1926 requesting recruits to attend County Hall in Brecon to be sworn in.
‘Men are to bring Great Coats, Helmets, Haversacks, Field Dressings and Haversack rations.’
A typewritten order sheet dated May 12th 1926 details operational orders and shows which towns and villages were supplying recruits. For example Brecon would supply seven constables and one acting police sergeant, and even a small village like Llangammarch Wells would supply a constable.
A letter of May 10th to MF Thomas from HE Price of Llanfaes, Brecon, offers an interesting insight into the recruiting process. “Further to our conversation of this afternoon, I have compiled a list of men in Llanfaes suitable for the duties of ‘Specials’. I have avoided, where known, any Trade Unionist….” The avoidance of Trade Unionists was understandable as they were most likely to sympathize with the strike action. “The men in our workshop are nearly all Trade Unionists & do not care to volunteer.”
The attached handwritten list details the names, addresses, employers, and occupations of the suggested potential recruits. This fascinating snapshot of working men in Brecon and Llanfaes shows a breadth of occupations such as fishmonger, publican, master mason, motor car driver, schoolmaster and prison caretaker. Employers included the County Council, Honddu Press, Penpont Estate, Watton Forge, Christ College, etc.
Two handwritten documents detail work groups, listing the names of men involved, and another lists names and addresses indicating those who served.
A handwritten receipt from the White Horse public house at Pontneddfechan (Pontneathvaughan) details “5/- Per Head Per day”, and “tea for Chief Constable 1/3”. This is perhaps for supplying meals to the constables serving at the Gunpowder Works.
The last document is a letter dated September 24th 1926 sent to MF Thomas from the Chief Constable of Brecon.
“A letter of thanks has been issued by the Government to those who offered their services as Special Constables during the recent emergency, and I am forwarding the issue for the Special Constables of your Sub Division to you for distribution“.
In the event, the General Strike was called off after only nine days as the TUC leadership calculated that the government could hold out longer than the workers, and the coal miners eventually returned to work having to accept lower wages and longer hours. It was however a significant expression of workers’ solidarity and the 1929 general election saw the Labour Party win the most seats in the House of Commons for the first time.
So this small group of documents has led me on a fascinating journey into the past, made all the more enjoyable as it relates to an area close to home. I expect I’ll sell these documents at some point, hopefully to an institution that will find them significant, but in the meantime I’ll get pleasure from knowing that they’ve not been destroyed, lost or forgotten.
Andrew Dally 