Spotlight on Heritage – Remembering the 1905 Unemployed March from Leicester to London
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In this episode of Spotlight on Heritage on Soar Sound, host John Coster is joined by Jess Jenkins, Sue Lester, and Robin Jenkins to explore the powerful story of the 1905 Unemployed March. Marking its 120th anniversary, the conversation highlights not only the remarkable endurance and discipline of the 400 men who walked from Leicester to London to draw attention to mass unemployment but also the enduring relevance of their journey today.
Jess Jenkins, a former archivist at the Record Office in Wigston, recounts how she first came across the story through early photographs and how the leader of the march, Amos Sherriff, assembled a striking visual record using hand-coloured lantern slides. These images remain a vivid testament to the determination and dignity of the marchers. Jess explains how this visual archive, alongside contemporary newspaper accounts, provides a counterpoint to the often hostile press coverage at the time. These records reveal a more nuanced and compassionate picture of the march—one of solidarity, generosity from bystanders, and quiet courage.
Sue Lester, publicity officer for the Leicestershire and Rutland Family History Society, discusses how the society can help trace the identities and stories of the participants—many of whom remain unnamed. With only around 35 names currently known, Sue notes how family history tools such as census data, newspaper archives, and local knowledge might help bring more of these individuals to light. Her emphasis is on connecting personal stories to broader historical narratives, ensuring that people’s experiences aren’t reduced to mere statistics or forgotten in time.
Robin Jenkins, with a background in military history and a special interest in the Leicestershire Regiment, shares insights into the ex-servicemen who joined the march. Many of the marchers were veterans of the South African War, often returning to Leicester with injuries and inadequate pensions. Robin describes how the march became a dignified assertion of their worth, directly challenging contemporary prejudices that equated unemployment with personal failure.
Together, the guests reflect on the memorialisation of the march—from the commemorative stone in Leicester Market Place to the medals and artefacts that still turn up in family collections. They explore how these fragments of memory—photos, napkins, medals—carry the potential to unlock untold stories and reinforce a collective understanding of Leicester’s social fabric.
This conversation reminds us that history isn’t just found in textbooks—it’s often stored in attics, tucked in family photo albums, or half-remembered in the stories passed down through generations. The march of 1905, while rooted in its time, continues to speak to the present. As debates about unemployment, veterans’ welfare, and social justice continue, this episode asks what we can learn from the values of discipline, solidarity, and hope that shaped the march.
If you think a family member might have been involved in the 1905 Unemployed March, or if you have photographs or memorabilia linked to it, the team would love to hear from you. Tracing these histories is not only about understanding the past—it’s about recognising the threads that connect us across generations.
