Coming soon a series of podcasts telling the story of Harry Constable, the unofficial dockers’ leader in the 1940s and 50s, read by Christopher Eccleston and Eithne Browne, and based on recordings compiled by Bill Hunter.

Christopher Eccleston is the voice of Harry Constable. In this first episode of Harry’s life he speaks of his birth in the docklands of Wapping and his Irish republican family.

Episode 2, getting employment on the docks was never easy and the work was often dangerous. In the family women, who were the main organisers, visibly aged long before their time.

In Episode 3 Harry learns the history and culture of the East End, about the struggles for freedom of those who had sought asylum in the area.

In Episode 4 Harry suffers corporal punishment which adds to his sense of injustice and helps shape his outlook on life.

Episode 5, with rats, lice and infestations and only one toilet, there was a constant danger of disease in the overcrowded house where the Constables lived.

Episode 6, in October 1936 Mosley tried to march his men through the East End of London. The words on everyone’s lips were “enough is enough” and a quarter of million people gathered to block him.

In Episode 7 times are tough, Harry gets casual jobs on the docks before going ‘On the Road’ to find work and then joining the army as a sapper.

In Episode 8 it’s 1945 and Harry has become a registered docker. With the war in Europe finished, dock employers go on the attack. Dockers react by striking and the new Labour government sends in the troops.

In Episode 9 Harry and other unofficial union organisers are instructed by union leaders not to coordinate unofficial strikes.

In Episode 10 it’s 1951 and six dockers, including Harry, are arrested and charged with conspiring to incite workers to strike.

In Episode 11 the fight for union democracy comes to a head as thousands of ‘White’ Transport & General Workers’ Union) members decamp to the ‘Blue’ (National Amalgamated Stevedores and Dockers Union).

Episode 12, the final episode in story of Harry Constable, looks at the inspirational people from Harry’s life.