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The year 1926 was an eventful one for the city of Sheffield.
It was also the year that Elizabeth II was born (April 21, 1926). The late monarch would become Queen on 6 February 1952 until 8 September 2022, when she passed away.
1926 was also the year of the National General Strike, Britain’s first and only one. The strike stemmed from a long-running dispute over mine owners reducing miners' pay and increasing hours to boost profits. High 1920s unemployment (over 10% in Sheffield alone) and ongoing industrial relation problems which had resulted in strikes in the pre-World War One years (1911-1914) which had not been resolved.
The Sheffield Gang Wars of 1925 had abated somewhat, with the Park Brigade becoming the dominant of the city gangs at that time.
Read more: 'Fire on Furnace Hill' - The tale of a historical gangland shootout in Sheffield's 'Little Chicago'
Furthermore, 1926 marked a historic milestone when Sheffield became the nation’s first major city council to fall under Labour Party control. A political shift that launched a century of strongly socialist local governance and pioneering social housing developments.
Take a look through the this nostalgic gallery to see the city 100-years-ago.
18. Colonel Hall-Dalwood, retiring Chief Constable of Sheffield, and his successor, Captain P. J. Sillitoe, in 1926. Photo: Picture Sheffield (from Sheffield Year Book, 1927)
Colonel Hall-Dalwood, retiring Chief Constable of Sheffield, and his successor, Captain P. J. Sillitoe, in 1926. Photo: Picture Sheffield (from Sheffield Year Book, 1927) | Picture Sheffield (from Sheffield Year Book, 1927)
19. Fitzalan Works
Workers in the cold rolling department at New Mill, Darwins Ltd, Fitzalan Works, Tinsley, Sheffield, in September 1926 | Picture Sheffield
20. Bin lorry
Emptying the bins into a 1-ton 'electricar' refuse collection lorry in Sheffield in 1926 | Picture Sheffield