There were
several men living in the East Grinstead area who supported women's
suffrage. The most prominent of these was Charles
Corbett (1853-1935), the Liberal M.P. for East Grinstead. After
his election in 1906 Corbett made several speeches in favour of women's
rights in the House of Commons but failed to persuade the Liberal
government to pass a 'Women's Suffrage' bill. After being defeated
by the Conservative candidate, Henry Cautley, in 1910, Charles Corbett
continued to campaign for women's rights. His wife, Marie
Corbett, and his two daughters, Margery
Ashby and Cicely Fisher, were all members
of the East Grinstead Suffrage Society.
Thomas Buckley (1853-1929) of the Grange, Crawley Down, was another
member of the Liberal Party who supported women's suffrage. His wife,
Jane Buckley (1855-1929) and daughter, Florence Buckley (1884-1926),
were both members of the East Grinstead Suffrage Society. Edward
Steer, Liberal Party agent and the most radical member of the
East Grinstead Urban Council, was a passionate advocate of equal rights.
On the 23rd July, 1913, Steer was one of the main victims of the East
Grinstead Riot that took place during a public meeting of the
East Grinstead Suffrage Society.
John Godwin King (1864-1948) of Stonelands, West Hoathly, Chairman
of the local Liberal Party and a member of the Sussex County Council
for forty-nine years, was another important supporter of the cause.
John Godwin's daughter, Ursula Ridley (1897-1974), was a member of
the NUWSS in the East End of London.
Robert
Cecil (1864-1958), who lived at Chelwood Gate, was one of the small
band of conservatives in the House of Commons who supported women's
suffrage. Although Cecil spoke in support of the NUWSS, he was totally
opposed to the activities of the Women's Political
and Social Union (WSPU).
Several non-conformist ministers in the East Grinstead area also supported
women's rights. Rev. Rupert Strong of Hammerwood, Rev. J. L. Brack
of Ardingly and Rev. G. B. Riddell, a retired minister living in East
Grinstead, all spoke at public meetings in favour of women's rights.
The views of Rev. Brack had been influenced by his contact with Marie
Corbett, a fellow Guardian of the Uckfield Workhouse.
In March 1913, Riddell and Strong helped form the East Grinstead branch
of the Men's League for Women's Suffrage. Members of the organisation
included Rev. J. L. Brack, Charles Corbett,
Robert Cecil, Edward Steer, R. J. Callaway
and E. T. Godwin.
(1)
Rev. Rupert Strong, speech at Hammerwood (27th January, 1913)
The movement
for women's suffrage was one of vital importance to the morality and
welfare of the nation. I believe women should have some share in the
government in order to promote clean living.
(2)
The East Grinstead Observer (8th March, 1913)
An East Grinstead branch of the Men's League for Women's Suffrage
was formed last Thursday. Rev. G. B. Riddell, presided and the Rev.
Rupert Strong was elected chairman. Mr. R. J. Callaway as treasurer
and Mr. E. T. Godwin as secretary. Letters were read expressing sympathy
for the movement from Lord Robert Cecil and Mr. Charles Corbett.
(3)
The East Grinstead Observer (15th March, 1913)
A meeting of the Central Sussex Suffrage Society was held at the Congregational
Hall, Horsted Keynes. Rev. J. L. Brack, rector of Ardingly, expressed
dislike of militant methods and added that this was an additional
reason for supporting the work of those suffragists who had carefully
avoided the use of physical force. He based his sympathy with the
women's suffrage movement partly upon his experience as a chaplain
to a workhouse, where the only visitor who understood how things went
on was a lady Guardian. Mrs. Marie Corbett and Miss A. S. Verrall
thanked the speakers.
(4)
The East Grinstead Observer (8th March, 1913)
At a meeting of the East Grinstead
branch of the Men's League for Women's Suffrage on Tuesday evening,
the Rev. G. B. Riddell condemned the tactics of the militant suffragettes
and said he did not blame men for their brutality and the lynch law
of the crowd.
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