On 11 January 2020 trade unionists from Berkshire and surrounding counties joined Kintbury villagers at
St Mary's Church to remember the life and death of William
Winterbourne. Buried as 'William Smith' in the parish churchyard,
Winterbourne was executed in 1831 for leading the 'Swing Riots' in
Berkshire - a movement of 'physical force' collective bargaining which
offered landowners the choice of wage rises for their labourers or the destruction of their threshing
machines.
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| Trade Unionists and villagers at William Winterbourne's Grave |
Around Berkshire, several landowners paid the price for immiserating their workforce with the smashing up or burning of their technologically advanced machinery which was replacing many agricultural workers and driving down wages. Landowners increased their profits through greater productivity and lower labour costs - but were reluctant to share their increased wealth with their workers.
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| Keith Jerrome Expostulates Eloquently to Assembled Comrades |
The 'Swing Rioters' sought to redress this injustice, with 'Captain'
Winterbourne leading the aggrieved from village to village, farm to
farm, seeking work for idle hands and improved pay for agricultural
labourers. When Winterbourne was arrested, however, justice was
merciless. He was identified as the ringleader, condemned to death and
publicly hanged from the walls of Reading Gaol on 11 January 1831 under
the gaze of the townsfolk, observing in silence according to
contemporary reports. (Two others condemned to death had their sentences
commuted to transportation to Australia; dozens of others received gaol
sentences.)
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| The Grave of William 'Smith' Winterbourne |
The day commenced with refreshments in the St Mary's Church Hall before Keith Jerrome (Unite) gave a graveside historical account of Winterbourne's campaign and death. He explained how the vicar of St Mary's brought the remains of Winterbourne to his church - an unusual practice for an executed person - and buried him as 'William Smith' (possibly to hide the nature of his death). Following Keith, a Winterbourne descendent recited a poem on her forebear's fate.
Reading Trades Union Council was well represented at the memorial service, with Kevin Brandstatter (GMB), Nikki Dancey (GMB), James denny (RMT), Steve Geary (USDAW), Ray Parkes (Unite), John Partington (TSSA) and Tanya Wills (Unite) attending as well as Keith Jerrome (Unite).
