Brass Tally Men

An Oral History of London's Dock Workers

This project is an oral history of London's dock workers focusing on the fascinating history of the people who worked on the docks of London from the 1930s up until the closing of the docks from the 1970s. It explores their working lives and how the docks shaped whole communities in London for centuries.

Children from Riverside and Westminster Cathedral primary schools which have links to the docks explored the history and gained skills enabling them to produce an exhibition and oral history based documentary film that will be shared widely. In order to deepen this learning we worked with the Museum of London Docklands, historians, two local archives and the community of retired dockers.

We are grateful to Unite the Union and the Heritage Lottery Fund for financially supporting this project.

Visit the project website