The Epic Battle Of Cable Street Mural

In the heart of London’s East End, on Cable Street in Shadwell, you will find a dramatic and monumental mural.

It depicts a battle that took place here in 1936 between furious London residents and the police who were protecting a march of the British Union of Fascists. 

The mural was commissioned to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the battle in 1976 but was only completed in 1983.

Painted on the side of the Grade II listed St George’s Town Hall, it was started by an artist called David Binnington but work was delayed when racist slogans were daubed across it. It was later completed by three artists: Ray Walker, Paul Butler and Desmond Rochfort. 

Since publishing the post, Tim Slatford, Dave Binnington’s nephew, got in touch with me as he has the original poster that was used in meetings to gain funding for the mural. As you can see below there are quite a lot of differences to the final design.

The Battle of Cable Street

The British Union of Fascists (BUF) was established by Oswald Mosley in 1932.

After enjoying some initial popularity, as they became increasingly radical and anti-semitic and as hostility towards Nazi Germany grew, their popularity waned.

They were known as the ‘Blackshirts’, after the uniform they wore.

The BUF planned a march on Sunday 4th October 1936, through Aldgate and Shadwell, both areas with predominant Jewish populations at the time. 

The Jewish People’s Council received around 100,000 signatures on a petition to try and get the march outlawed but John Simon, the Home Secretary at the time, refused to do so. 

Local residents therefore took matters into their own hands, determined to stop the fascist’s progress through the streets. It was not just the Jewish population involved but Irish Catholics, the Communist party, trade unionists and other socialist groups. 

‘They Shall Not Pass’

Somewhere between 2000 and 5000 fascists are estimated to have turned up the day to march. They were protected by around 6000 Metropolitan policemen who also had a spotter plan flying overhead.

Estimates on the numbers of anti-fascist protestors range from 100,000-300,000. Barricades had been set up from early in the morning by anti-fascist demonstrators across Cable Street and the surrounding streets. Banners with the slogan ‘They Shall Not Pass’ were carried.

Violent Clashes Break Out

Later in the day violent clashes broke out when police officers tried to remove the barriers blocking the street. Objects such as milk bottles, rotten fruits/vegetables and even the contents of chamber pots were thrown at the police. Many ended up being thrown through windows due to the sheer size of the crowds.

Despite it being known as the ‘Battle of Cable Street’, clashes broke out all over the East End. 

At around 2pm in the afternoon the BUF started to gather at Tower Hill. Violent clashes broke out and the wounded were treated at dressing stations set up by both sides.

Reg Weston, who was there on the day said, ‘The fascists were assembling by the Royal Mint and police started to make baton charges, both foot and mounted, to try to clear a way for them to escort a march. They did not succeed. A barricade started to go up. A lorry was overturned, furniture was piled up, paving stones and a builders yard helped to complete the barrier. The police managed to clear the first, but found a second behind it and then a third. Marbles were thrown under the hooves of the police horses; volleys of bricks met every baton charge.’

You can read his account here. 

The largest confrontation took place at ‘Gardiner’s Corner’, the area just outside Aldgate East tube station, where huge crowds had gathered. Trams were left abandoned in the street, the rumour being that this was a deliberate attempt to block the street by anti-fascist tram drivers.

You can see video footage of the day here:

The Battle Ends

In the end the police instructed Mosley and his supporters to leave the area. They instead marched through the West End and finished their march at Hyde Park. 

Around 150 demonstrators were arrested (mostly anti-fascists) and 175 were injured. 

Working class anthems were sung in the streets and a victory assembly gathered in Victoria Park where speeches and stories were shared. 

In 1936 the Public Order Act was introduced in response to the Battle of Cable Street. The act outlawed political uniforms, for example the ‘blackshirts’, and, going forward, large protests and gatherings would need police permission. 

The incredible mural therefore commemorates an inspiring event when the people of London worked together to fight against the forces of hatred. 

If you would like to find it yourself, you can see the location on the map below:

Thank you for reading, more of London’s incredible history below!