Vauxhall Road Plaque

Over 100 people gathered in the Eldonian Hall on 18th August 2012 to commemorate the lives and deaths of Michael Prendergast and John Sutcliffe. Both men were shot by soldiers on Vauxhall Road on 15th August 1911, during the Transport Strike.

Article and photographs by Jeremy Hawthorn

The meeting was convened and introduced by local historian Ron Noon. Descendants of the Sutcliffe family were present as the family history of both men was traced by Professor Sam Davies. Former union leader Eddie Roberts then introduced Len McCluskey, General Secretary of UNITE, who questioned how far the present-day Labour Party represents the needs of working people.

Entertainers had a part to play. Alun Parry sang Power in a Union and The Limerick Soviet, while actor Jamie Vere recalled Bloody Sunday and the Vauxhall shooting through the part of a young docker. The meeting ended with the singing of the IWW song 'Solidarity Forever'.

After the meeting Len McCluskey unveiled a plaque to the two men which stands where John Sutcliffe was shot, at the corner of Vauxhall Road and Gem Street.

Also read:
Two workers shot dead by soldiers in 1911 are honoured
It was a long hot summer... (Nerve 17)
Sutcliffe & Prendergast (Nerve 18)

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Sorry Comments Closed

Comment left by Padraig Yeates on 22nd August, 2012 at 21:56
Great to get update on events at Merseyside. Cannot say I know the Limerick Soviet song. Has anyone gor the words!

Comment left by Mick Forshaw on 23rd August, 2012 at 13:27
The day was a fitting tribute to ex T&GWU stalwart Tony McQuade for his idea for the plaque and to the families of the strikers.Thought both should have spoken at the Eldonian.Pity as well not many women there.

Comment left by Ron Noon on 23rd August, 2012 at 20:27
It was sage comrade Tony McQuade who spoke up at the August 15th 2011 commemoration event in the Eldonians and insisted that our goal for the next year ought to be to get a permanent marker dedicated to Sutcliffe and Prendergast. A year and two days on that's precisely what Saturday's commemoration/celebration achieved and Tony's role was duly acknowledged. If Mick Forshaw was there on Saturday he'd have known that and the fact that the lovely family members on John Sutcliffe's side did not want get up and give a talk in a room packed with well over 100 people. They loved the day and the picture above speaks volumes. Tony Mc is always more than capable of speaking out if we missed out on anybody for achieving what is now going to be an annual rally/event and what completed a great weekend for him (and a few others on the organising side) was that Fellaini also ensured that there was no lag between intent and actual achievement at Goodison Park.

Comment left by Eddie Roberts on 25th August, 2012 at 15:46
Nice piece, the more we use resources like this to spread the word that trade unionists on Merseyside are alive and well, remembering past struggles and encouraging an organised fightback against today's excesses being perpetrated against workeers and the families just as it was in 1911

Comment left by Alun Parry on 27th August, 2012 at 11:29
Hi Padraig You can hear the song, read the lyrics and get some background on The Limerick Soviet at http://parrysongs.co.uk/go/songs/the-limerick-soviet/ Al

Comment left by Greg Tyson on 27th August, 2012 at 18:01
Absolutely Fantastic. This Murder is still happening "Lest we forget"