Stories from the Graveyard Vickers Armstrong

Arming the world”
The story of one of its earliest employees is the starting point for this film about the rise and decline of Vickers-Armstrong, one of Tyneside’s most important engineering factories. Founded by William Armstrong in 1847, the company quickly grew to be the largest employer in Newcastle, and triggered the urban development of the west end.
Stories from the Graveyard: telling the story of Benwell and Scotswood.
This is one of a series of short films, illustrated with archive photographs, about people buried in St James’ graveyard in the west end of Newcastle upon Tyne. When the graveyard was opened in 1833, Benwell and Scotswood were home to many of the richest and most powerful families on Tyneside. But this was also an important coal mining area and, as time went on, the location of some of the region’s major industries. Among the more than 12,000 people buried in this graveyard were pitmen, soldiers, farmers, engineers, shopkeepers and many others, including thousands of young children. These films tell the stories of some of those buried at St James’. They were created by St James’ Heritage and Environment Group as part of a project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

[@mike-myke22]

very moving. Thanks for posting.

[@Senna-xi1gr]

Fantastic. Cheers for this 👍🏆🖤🤍

[@niceuneasy]

Amazing tears in my eyes

[@helpmehelp3009]

My grandfather worked at the naval yard as an apprentice, then a boilermaker, then as plater , until 1929 was paid off in depression. He then got work at Vickers Armstrong at Elswick once again, making tanks. Worked there until he was 64 and a half, and was forced to retire. His pension was 7s 6p a week old money after all that time as his years at Naval Yard were not counted. Some shit firm to work for! My other grandfather was a miner he retired at 54 with coal dust on his lungs. Yet as a geordie, we all love Nrwcastle. We should have strung bosses up years ago.

[@J-Mc72.]

My father was the youngest Crain operator in the 40s

[@paulpeterson713]

My dad was a shipwright there in the 50s

[@alanwann9318]

What interests me is peoples lives depended on heavy industry

[@HorseMalone]

2:19 Just look at the wear on the stone steps...hundreds of thousands of footsteps did that..

[@davidhoward5392]

My brother did his apprenticeship there

[@Anna-ph9he]

My dad & at least 1 ifchis of his brothers worked there, they were Taylors, wonder if related to this man?

[@jimdee9801]

Arming both sides eh. Couldnt make this up