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Jack Besford’s speech at the 1948 Northumberland Miners’ Picnic
Background to Jack Besford’s speech of 17th July 1948 A majority Labour government had been elected for the first time ever in July 1945. It faced no shortage of problems. Three quarters of a million houses had been destroyed or severely damaged by German bombing. The country faced record debt after having to finance six…
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Thomas Besford (1899-1994)
Thomas Besford was the son of David Besford and Mary Besford (née Turnbull). Thomas was born on 8th November 1899 at Chevington Crescent, Northumberland.