Frances Mary Parker, OBE

New Zealand-born suffrage activist Frances Parker became prominent in the militant wing of the Scottish women's suffrage movement and was repeatedly imprisoned for her actions. She was awarded the Women's Social and Political Union Medal for Valour for her role in the campaign for the right of women to vote in Scotland. During World War I, Frances served in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps and was awarded an OBE. In 2016, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa purchased Frances's suffragette medal from an auction house in Scotland.

Frances Mary Parker was born on 24 December 1875 (reg. 1876/9412) to Harry Rainey Parker and Frances Emily Jane (nee Kitchener) at Waihao Downs in Waimate, Canterbury, New Zealand.

In 1896, Frances left New Zealand to attend Cambridge University at the expense of her very well placed uncle, Lord Kitchener.

No doubt spurred on by New Zealand’s ground-breaking position as the first self-governing country to grant women the vote in 1893, she joined the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1908.

Described by fellow suffragette and friend Ethel Moorhead as having ‘an exquisite madness – daring, joyous, vivid, strategic’, Frances was a perfect candidate for the WSPU who promoted ‘Deeds not Words’.

Frances was first imprisoned, along with over 200 other suffragettes, in March 1912 for her involvement in a window-smashing campaign in London. Following four months in Holloway Prison, she was locked up again for five days in December, and went on hunger strike.

While living in Scotland, Frances carried out her most infamous ‘deed’ on behalf of the WSPU. In July 1914 she attempted to blow up the cottage in which Robbie Burns, Scotland’s much loved poet, was born. Caught before she could do any real damage, Frances was remanded in Perth prison for attempted arson. She went on hunger strike, and was forcibly fed.

Writing under her alias, Janet Arthur, Frances vividly described her ordeal in an article the suffragette newspaper, Votes for Women (link is external).

Six wardresses held me down, and one of them reached forward and slapped my face ... As [the prison doctor] was unable to open my mouth he called for the nasal tube … He succeeded in forcing it down … and left it hanging there while he went out of the room. It was extremely painful, I asked the assistant to remove it, but he only laughed.

Following the outbreak of war in August 1914, the WSPU suspended its militant activities and the government granted an amnesty to all suffrage prisoners. Many suffragettes, including Frances Parker channelled their energies into the war effort.

By 1917, Frances had become the Deputy Controller of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. In an astonishing contrast to her earlier years, when she was considered a shameful embarrassment to her family, especially Lord Kitchener, she was awarded a military Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Frances died in Arcachon, France in 1924 at the age of 49.

Awarded to Frances Parker in 1912 The Women’s Social and Political Union Medal for Valour was awarded in recognition of a 'Gallant Action, whereby through Endurance to the last Extremity of Hunger and Hardship, a Great Principle of Political Justice was Vindicated’.

Frances Parker left her Suffrage medal to her friend Ethel Moorhead (1870-1955). Fellow suffragette Ethel said that she was ‘small and looked innocent and disarming with her charming looks, brown eyes, and silky hair … but she had an exquisite madness - daring, joyous, vivid and strategic’

Purchased by Te Papa in Feb 2016, the medal is a symbol of the ongoing struggle of women around the world for civil rights, and as a tangible link to New Zealand’s engagement in that struggle.

Source: https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/discover-collections/read-watch-play/his...

• Residence: 1881 - 4 Temple Rothley, Temple Rothley, Leicestershire, England
  • Reference: 1881 England & Wales Census - SmartCopy: Jun 5 2020, 20:33:44 UTC