Des Warren's funeral, pictures and a report - 5th May 2004

The crematorium service was extremely very well attended, though the media attendance was minimal. It was standing room at the back of the service which was two rows standing, Ricky Tomlinson's tribute to Des was heartfelt and tearful at times, while Ricky's politics in the 1970's were to the right, Des' politics were most definitely to the left said Ricky. The dispute brought them together in friendship, while Des became a Christian in his final years, Ricky's tribute upheld the memory of Des as a class fighter and committed socialist. Also attending was a strong contingent from the National Union of Miners with Billy Kelly and Paul Hardman in attendance, the banner message appropriately reads "The Past We Inherent - The Future We Build". Many from the left of politics were in attendence including a sizeable contingent from the Socialist Labour Party, including Ian Johnson NW regional secretary and party leader Arthur Scargill former NUM leader in the 1984/85 miners strike and close friend of Des Warren.


The following is taken from a booklet given to the people who attended the service today.

Des the person
As a teenager, he was conscripted into the armed forces for two years and served in the Middle East.
He witnessed the suppression of the people by his own imperialistic government.
When he came out of the forces he joined the union, to fight for a decent standard of living
for his family and his class – for this reason the ‘ruling’ class collaborated together and charged
him with conspiracy and threw him in jail for 3 years. The trade union and labour leaders left him there.
(AT THEIR PERIL)

Feb 1974. The conspiracy against us continues in jail, but I believe our time in prison will not have been in
vain and I look forward to the day when I can rejoin the struggle, not with feelings of bitterness or revenge,
but with a strengthened resolve to help bring about a Socialist Britain.
[My emphasis – D.W.]
DES.

SHEWSBURY PICKET
So this is the country where speech can be free,
But I spoke out now look at me.
A sentence to jail is what I received,
How many more like me are deceived?
Is this the land where bias is rare
Where the law is just, and judgement is fair?
I didn’t take anything that wasn’t mine,
Or hurt anyone, or give any sign…
That I was prepared to break the law
So why am I here? Tell me, what for?
If I was guilty of committing a crime
I wouldn’t protest at doing my time.
But I am here for speaking my mind
That’s the only reason I have been confined.
There’s an age old writing on a wall
It say’s “Pride goeth before a fall”
Well I was proud and I fell, and landed in this prison cell.
I still have my pride, and I still have my voice.
But most important of all my freedom of choice.
No man can dictate what another should say.
My mine is my own, and my own it will stay.
Poem by Jill
Des’s sister.

To all my family,
My friends and comrades
Who stuck by me
Who fought with me
And for me
Over the past years
Keep up the fight for justice
Thanks Des.