Thomas Hepburn

Despite economic circumstance forcing his employment in childhood, as was common for working class children at the time, he was an intelligent child, able to read the Bible from an early age, remaining interested in education all his life.

[2] Some of the first industrial action undertaken by this union, under Hepburn's guidance was to go on strike to seek improved conditions.

In another action a South Shields magistrate, Nicholas Fairless was beaten so badly by a striking miner that he died from his wounds.

The strike leaders were scapegoated by the authorities, and Thomas Hepburn became unable to secure employment as a miner thereafter, being banned from the coalfield.

Destitute, he was eventually re-employed at a colliery, at Felling, on the grounds that he did not get involved in trade union activity.