A new Leeds Civic Trust Blue Plaque has been unveiled to record the events of 1936 when 30,000 Leeds residents rallied against the British Union of Fascists on Holbeck Moor.
On 27 September 1936 Sir Oswald Mosley and 1,000 Blackshirts of the British Union of Fascists marched from the city centre, through Beeston to Holbeck Moor to hold an open air rally. Their intention was to stir up antisemitic racism in the city.
They had been stopped from marching through the Leylands district around North Street where much of the Leeds Jewish community lived. Many of the Jews in Leeds had fled persecution and pogroms in Russia and Eastern Europe. Now they faced Fascism and soon their families would face the Holocaust.
Mosley was met on Holbeck Moor by 30,000 Leeds residents who repeatedly sang The Red Flag to drown out his speech. The fascists withdrew under a hail of stones, there were just three arrests.
The plaque has been nominated by Leeds Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) who organised a Crowdfunder to meet the costs. It has been supported by many local trade union branches and community organisations including Holbeck Moor FC, Holbeck Together, The Holbeck club, Holbeck Gala, Beeston Festival and Beeston Hill Community Association.
All photos: Dave Goodfield
Leeds Civic Trust Director, Martin Hamilton said;
“Most of our plaques commemorate individuals or buildings but this one is different. It tells the story of how the people of Leeds rose up to oppose the rise of fascism in the United Kingdom. This event made national news at the time and was an important statement of defiance as World War 2 approached. It is a story that deserves to be better known and I am delighted that we are able to support this blue plaque.”
Sam Kirk, Stand up to Racism said;
“We are delighted to be sponsoring this plaque to commemorate Leeds’ biggest anti fascist event. It was one of many rallies, most of which aren’t yet recognised. One week before The Battle of Cable Street it set an example.
“Recently, we have seen the far right, attacking hotels where those seeking asylum are staying. But like Holbeck we have also seen people turning out against them sending a strong message that they are not welcome. We must continue to campaign against those like Tommy Robinson that want to encourage division. Thousands will repeat these huge rallies in London on 26 October this year. Four words link the three plaques across the country that commemorate some of these events: They Shall Not Pass.”
Councillor Andrew Scopes (Labour, Beeston & Holbeck) said;
“I’m delighted that The Battle of Holbeck Moor is being recognised as a significant moment in the history of our area. It feels like a really relevant moment for this Blue Plaque to be unveiled and to celebrate how Leeds united against fascism.”
As part of the project SUTR have traced family members of some of the 30,000, something that has never been done before.
Janice Heptonstall’s mother Muriel Lucas was on the Moor in 1936. Janice said:
“Standing at the back of the crowd, she was a young witness to the event rather than an active participant, so for her its importance was the impact it had on her developing understanding of the reality of Fascism – an understanding that would of course be deepened over the following nine years.
“For the rest of her life she remembered the hate written all over the faces of the young Blackshirts. However Mosley, she said, had not reckoned on ‘the men of Leeds’: a huge crowd had gathered on Holbeck Moor and was waiting, armed with stones which they threw, injuring some of the marchers and Mosley too.
“She would for ever remain proud that Leeds had turned back Mosley.”
Jeremy Wallis’s mother Sylvia Wallis was the daughter of a Communist Party organiser and was also at the rally, aged 13 or 14.
“During the conflict she hid under parked vehicles as mounted police charged around, an experience that left her with a lifelong fear of horses” he said.
Like Muriel Lucas, Sylvia is thought to have worked at the Avro aircraft factory in Yeadon during the war.
Mick Fitzpatrick’s grandfather walked from Batley with a group of miners from Gomersall Birstall and Howley Park mines.
“The miners group grew in numbers walking through Hunslet where many engineering plants still operated. Like many others they picked up stones and half bricks (easier to lob) and aimed them at the Fascists.
“Mosley famously sported a visible injury the following week at Cable Street in London. I’m told that all the participants claimed it was their missile which hit him” explained Mick.
The unveiling ceremony on Sunday 29 September was attended by about 200 people. Hilary Benn MP (Leeds South) was joined by colleagues Fabian Hamilton MP (Leeds North West) who unveiled the plaque and Richard Burgon MP (Leeds East whose grandfather protested on the Moor in 1936.
Other speakers included Martin Hamilton from Leeds Civic Trust; Jeremy Wallis and Janice Heptonstall, from families connected to the event; Jane Aitchison, President of Leeds Trades Council; and Sam Kirk from Leeds Stand Up To Racism.
Lewis Pugh performied his song ‘The Battle of Holbeck Moor’ whilst 200 cup cakes were distributed. The event closed with Gary Kaye leading the singing of ‘No Pasaran’.
Main photo: Families of some of the 30,000 protesters hold up photos of their relatives with the Blue Plaque. Credit: Dave Goodfield
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