"The Bow Matchgirls strike of 1888 is one of the iconic events in British working class history, but attempts to get formal public recognition for it, and its significance, via memorials, present a continuing challenge.
This is the first of a two-part series that examines the issues. In this we briefly recap the story of the strike and how the event has been acknowledged via statuary and plaques in East London. The second article (to follow) looks specifically at the story of one of the strike’s leaders, Sarah Chapman: her life and the campaign to get formal recognition for her, via a permanent headstone, in her burial ground, Manor Park cemetery.
We are grateful for assistance from The Matchgirls Memorial – a charitable organisation that was established in March 2019 that campaigns for better recognition of the women and girls who went on strike – for help in preparing these articles and for permission to use the images we are reproducing. Full details of the charitable organisation – and how you can assist – will appear at the end of the second article.
Matchmaking was an important industry in east London in the second half of the nineenth century: its products were needed to ignite almost all forms of commercial and domestic heating and lighting. The trade was largely unmechanised, meaning that considerable numbers of lowly paid – usually women – workers were employed in the production.
The Bryant and May factory opened in Fairfield Road, Bow, in 1861, joining an already established larger firm, Bells, in the area. It was a dangerous trade – one of the key ingredients of the match head was white phosphorus, which casued a disfiguring and occasionally deathly condition known as “phossy jaw”. Charles Dickens had drawn attention to its danger and consequences almost a decade before the Bryant and May factory opened, but almost no heed was paid to the safety or welfare of those employed there when it opened.....
furher details check out E7 Now & Then: Matchgirls, memorials and Manor Park (e7-nowandthen.org)
She was one of the leaders of the successful strike over fines and working conditions in 1888 at the Bryant & May Match factory in Bow.
"Chapman and others involved in the strike have since been recognised as "pioneers of sex equality and fairness at work who left a lasting legacy on the trade union movement".[4]
It was great to meet in person and speak at long last to Sarah's great granddaughter, Sam Johnson and her husband Graham, who together with over relatives, supporters and local residents have formed the Charity "The Matchmaker Memorial". The Tower Hamlets Mayor, Lufter Rahman attended as did local Councillor, Asma Begum.
Sarah is buried in a privately owned cemetery in Manor Park Newham and I was able to speak to residents who had also come to support the campaign.
After some words of welcome and explanation by Sam we were treated to some songs by a wonderful singer (whose name I sadly missed) dressed in period costume. I particularly enjoyed :-
"The Matchgirls' Song"
We'll hang old Bryant on a sour apple tree...(see full wording in photo)
(to the tune of "John Brown's Body").
By coincidence, many years ago I used to occasionally work in the old Housing office (Lanfranc) that used to be on this site.
I shall look forward to the memorial headstone to Sarah being laid in the Manor Park cemetery as soon as is possible.
