‘Workers Memorial Day 2023’

Remember the dead, 
Fight for the living! 

Huddersfield 

Date           Friday 28th April 2023  Meet Place      H Booth Memorial Plaque,    near Tesco Goods Entrance, Viaduct Street, HD1 5DL  Time           12.30 pm 

H Booth Factory Fire 1941The fire at H Booth & Sons cloth business in Huddersfield killed 49 workers, mainly young women. A smouldering pipe is thought to have started the fire but the real cause was a death-trap building built as a warehouse, not as a premises for 150 workers.

Two timber staircases had been added which actually spread the blaze; no fire procedures; an alarm that did not work. Those who died were on the top floor; there was no access to the roof, no fire escapes and drain pipes were flush to the wall At least two women died after they jumped to avoid slow incineration and death.

The 1937 Factory Act stated that there should be means of escape in case of fire and obstacles. Further, employees should be aware of the routines involved. To my Knowledge no one was ever prosecuted. The fire was the town’s worst wartime disaster. And it goes on, Grenfell and the Tories bonfire of regulations!’ 

speakers 

Mick Donoghue,  Branch Secretary, Kirklees UNISON

Cormac Kelly,       Local Historian

Chair

Mick Fitzpatrick   Vice – President,  Huddersfield TUC  

There will be the laying of the wreath and a minute silence

Everyone Welcome  

Dewsbury 

Date   Saturday 29th April 2023 Meet Place   Memorial Stone,  Long  Causeway Dewsbury, WF12 8EN Time   11.00 am speakers Mick Donoghue, Branch Secretary, Kirklees UNISON other speakers invited  There will be the laying of the wreath and a minute silence   more details to follow   Everyone Welcome

 Organised by Kirklees UNISON & Huddersfield TUC 

Strong Unions, Save Lives

For more information – Bob Stoker, Secretary, 07530633708