In
1903 Emmeline Pankhurst and her two
daughters, Christabel and Sylvia, formed the Women's
Social and Political Union (WSPU). Members of the WSPU were determined
to use tactics that would force Parliament to grant women the vote.
In October 1905, Christabel Pankhurst
and another member of the WSPU, Annie
Kenney,
were found guilty of assaulting a policeman and fined five shillings
each. When the women refused to pay the fine they were sent to prison.
The case shocked the nation. For the first time women had used violence
in an attempt to win the vote. The leadership of the National
Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) criticised the WSPU
for using these tactics. However, some members of the NUWSS agreed
with this new strategy and decided to join the WSPU. Elizabeth
Robins of Henfield was one of those who joined the WSPU. However,
at first, the women in the East Grinstead area remained in the NUWSS.
On 28th March, 1912, the House of Commons
decided to vote against granting women the vote. Some women in the
NUWSS argued that more militant action was now needed. Two members
of the East Grinstead Suffrage Society,
Helen MacRae and Lilla Durham decided to leave the NUWSS and join
the WSPU. Soon afterwards Helen MacRae was arrested for breaking windows
in government buildings in Whitehall. She was found guilty and was
sentenced to four months in prison. As soon as she was released, Helen
MacRae was involved in another Suffrage demonstration in London,
where more windows were broken. Imprisoned for a second time, MacRae
and sixty-five other suffragettes embroided their names on a handkerchief
(this handkerchief is displayed at the Priest House at West Hoathly).
Kitty Marion, one of the leaders of the WSPU, moved to Hartfield in
1912. Lilla Durham of Landhurst Cottage in Hartfield joined Marion
in her activities and soon both women were arrested and sent to Holloway
Prison.
(1)
Marie Corbett, letter to The East Grinstead
Observer (16th March, 1912)
Those guilty
of disturbances on Friday and Monday are a small and decreasing minority
amongst suffragettes. There cannot be more than a few hundred in all
who have put themselves under the leadership of the Social and Political
Union for the commission of lawless activities. The members of the
East Grinstead Women's Women's Suffrage Society strongly disapprove
of acts of violence.
(2)
Lilla Durham, wrote a letter to The East Grinstead Observer
about the punishment of WSPU members (20th April, 1913)
I would like to draw attention to the women now under sentence for
window breaking in London. Women accused of damage above the value
of £5 were given sentences varying from four months for first
offences to six months for second offences at the London Sessions.
When suffragettes, for political reasons, break the law, they do so
in the knowledge that they have to bear the penalty. But in the name
of justice let that penalty be justly inflicted.
(3)
In her autobiography, Kitty Marion of Hartfield complained about the
way she was treated when she was arrested by the police.
Two policemen, one on each arm, quite unnecessarily pinching and bruising
the soft under-arm, with the third often pushing at the back, would
run us along and fling us, causing most women to be thrown to the
ground.
Last
updated: 20th August 2002
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