30 / 133
30
693
: Suffragette Medal with original named fitted case awarded to Mary Aldham. The medal engraved to Mary
Aldham and with the words Hunger Strike to the obverse, on its original ribbon with the enamelled clasp and the 'For
Valour' bar, plus three silver clasps 'Nov 22nd 1912', 'Jan 23rd 1913 C&M', and 'May 1st 1914 C&M'. With two
different original Votes For Women WSPU pin badges, a dark green enamelled 'Deputation 1910' badge, a small
embroidered Sampler produced in Holloway Prison, and a small embroidered Calico Bag produced at Holloway
Prison. Also present are an original letter + envelope to No 14113 Mary Aldham whilst in Holloway Prison from her
daughter Mary 9th March 1908, a letter from Mary Aldham whilst in Holloway Prison to her daughter Mary 7th
December 1910, Prisoners Temporary Release Certificate (Cat & Mouse Act) for Mary Aldham 13/11/1913, copies
of The Suffragette 13 June 1913 Report the Death of Emily Davidson, 8 May 1914 reporting the attack on the
painting at the Royal Academy, the report of Mary Aldhams Trial and her statement, 15 May 1914 reporting force
feeding of Mary Aldham, plus other reports on Emmeline Pankhurst’s death.
Mary Aldham (née Wood) was born about 1828, married in 1883 at Thornton Heath to Arthur Robert Aldham a
manager of the P&O Steamship Co. Following the early death of her husband Mary became involved in the 'Votes for
Women' campaign. November 1911 she was arrested for smashing windows and imprisoned in Holloway. On 1st
March 1912 she was arrested on a march in London and imprisoned in Holloway for 6 months, going on hunger
strike from 13th - 19th and was force fed on 20th April. Also imprisoned Nov 1912 and Jan 1913. In 1913 she threw
tomatoes and smashed windows at the Old Bailey trial of Rachel Peace. For this she was sentenced to 1 month in
Holloway, going on hunger strike and was released under the Cat & Mouse Scheme on 21st Nov and returned on 29
Nov. Mary was again in Holloway in April 1914, released under the C&M Scheme on 1st May. On 4th May she
slashed the John Singer Sargent painting of author Henry James at the Royal Academy Exhibition and was returned
to Holloway where she was again force fed. Her signature appears on the Suffragette Handkerchief at the Priest
House, West Hoathly. This superb and unique lot is being sold by order of the family.
£6000 - £7000