1921 Census

 

The 1921 census took place on 19^th June.  This was much later than the original date set by the Registrar General of 24^th April.

During the Great War (WW1) the Government took over the control of the mines.  There were about 1 million workers employed and coal was vital for the national economy.  Once the war ended, demand for coal fell.  The temporary government control was still in existence in 1919 when the miners’ union presented a claim for more wages and reduced hours. A Royal Commission was set up to examine the state of the coal industry. The Sankey Commission recommended increased wages and reduced hours, leading to a seven hour day for face workers. In 1920 the Miners Union brought in another claim and the government gave a substantial wage increase.  This agreement was due to end in March 1921. Before this time the Government restored the mines to their owners.  Mine owners then brought in district wage agreements and often lower rates of pay.  The return of the mines to private ownership was against the wishes of the miners’ union and the recommendation of the Sankey Commission. (Mines were not all profitable; some had outdated technology and for others the coal was more difficult to extract.) There was a recommendation to set a fixed levy on a ton of coal and a pool of money would be raised so that all miners would receive a minimum wage. The Prime Minister, Lloyd George, made it clear he was on the side of the mine owners and would not support nationalisation or a national pool for wages. The miners’ union ordered a strike from April 1^st. In addition the Triple Alliance announced it would begin a General strike on 15^th April.  (This  coalition was between the miners, railwaymen and transport workers.) The Registrar General decided   on 14^th April to postpone the census since there would be transport difficulties for the enumerators and this would harm the census output. Seven hours before the strike was due to start the railwaymen and transport workers pulled out of supporting the miners strike and the general strike planned for 15^th April was cancelled.  This was known as Black Friday.

 

Against this background, many of our relatives were struggling to find work and provide for their families. This census had an option in the employment section of stating whether they were in work. The following list gives the information for the McAndrew and Crowther sides of the family.  One surprising fact was that both of our grandfathers were employed by the same company but on different banks of the river.

 

McAndrew

 

Name	Age, marriage	Address	Employment
Edward McAndrew (Grandad)	28, married	48 Rawdon Road, Wallsend	Coal Hewer, Edward Pit, Willington Square, Wallsend and Hebburn Coal Co, Out of work
Edward McAndrew	68, married	Bigges Main, Wallsend	Surface Drainer, Rising Sun Colliery. Out of work
George Ranson	28, married to Ethel Burridge	Rawdon Road, Wallsend	Miner Shifter, Wallsend and Hebburn Coal Co, G Pit
John William Stephenson	53, married to Mary Ann Burridge	Beamish	Coal Hewer, Messrs Jas Joicey and Co Mine Owners Twizell Colliery
Ada J Stephenson	25, daughter of Mary Ann Burridge	Beamish	Bill Clerk, Twizell Colliery Office, Messrs Jas Joicey and Co
William P Burridge	18, single	38 Rawdon Rd, Wallsend	Shaft lad, Edward Pit, Wallsend. Out of work
Ben James Burridge	55, married	54 Queens Rd, Brighton	Political Agent Labour Party, Consett Division, Stanley, Co Durham
William Burridge	32, single	6 Eden Place, Beamish	Coal miner, James Joicey Co Ltd, Chop Hill 2nd Pit, Beamish
Cecil Burridge	16, single	6 Eden Place, Beamish	Pony Driver underground, James Joicey and Co Ltd, Chop Hill 2nd Pit, Beamish
John Burridge	35, married	Bowes Terrace, Andrews House, Lamesley	Coal Hewer, John Bowes and Co, Marley Hill Colliery, Swalwell
Thomas Burridge	37	9 Derwent View, Burnopfield, Tanfield	Coal Miner, Stoneman, John Bowes and Partners Ltd, Burnopfield
John Voysey Burridge	30	Kays Cottage, Beamish	Coal Hewer, James Joicey and Co, Beamish 2nd Colliery Pit

 

 

Crowther

 

Joseph Crowther (Grandad)	31, married	25 East St, Hebburn	Colliery Painter, Wallsend and Hebburn Coal Co. Out of Work
William Henry Slaughter	66, married	25 East St, Hebburn	Coal Miner, Stoneman, Wallsend and Hebburn Coal Co Ltd. Out of work
Frederick Slaughter	16, single	25 East St, Hebburn	Coal Miner Shaft Lad, , Wallsend and Hebburn Coal Co Ltd. Out of work
John Lowe Slaughter	38, married	14 Juliet St, Elswick	Blacksmith, Armstrong Locomotive Works, Scotswood
Jacob Porter	36, married to Edith Slaughter	6 School St, Hebburn	Miner Hewer, Wallsend and Hebburn Coal Co Ltd. Out of work
William Henry Slaughter	25, married	107 Victoria Rd, Hebburn	Miner, Stoneman, Wallsend and Hebburn Coal Co Ltd. Out of work
George William Grey	21, married to Elizabeth Ann Slaughter	25 Bygate St, Hebburn	Coal Miner Putter, Wallsend and Hebburn Coal Co Ltd. Out of work