Alice Wheeldon: Activism, Persecution, and Legacy
Alice Wheeldon was an anti-war activist, socialist, and feminist who important to British history, and who appears in my historical novel, Roseleigh. Her life story reflects the courage and resilience required to stand against the tide of mainstream political currents. Wheeldon was born in Derby in 1866. Her early life and subsequent activism provide a window into the complexities of political dissent during World War I, highlighting her support for conscientious objectors, her wrongful prosecution, and the enduring impact of her legacy.
Early Life and Activism
Alice Wheeldon grew up in a working-class family, which profoundly influenced her worldview and political convictions. She soon became an active member of the Independent Labor Party (ILP). Wheeldon was also deeply involved in the suffrage movement, advocating for women’s right to vote and broader social reforms. Ethical concerns for animal welfare and health led her to adopt vegetarianism, intertwining it with her commitment to social justice.
Wheeldon did not confine her activism to her political affiliations; she was a fervent opponent of World War I. Wheeldon became a vocal critic of the war effort. This was because she viewed it as as a tool of imperialism that exploited the working class. Her home in Derby served as a meeting place for like-minded activists and a refuge for conscientious objectors — individuals who refused to fight on moral or political grounds.
In my historical fiction work, Roseleigh, Catholic Priest Father Molloy, discusses Wheeldon:
The Wheeldons are an odd lot, but I know their hearts, and they’re good people. Here’s her address — ninety-one Stanhope Street.”
“An odd lot?”
“They won’t partake in a good Sunday roast or shepherd’s pie or toad in the hole. They’re vegetarians — by choice.” The priest shrugged and chuckled. “Odd indeed — anyone who prefers a parsnip to a lamb chop! Actually, Mrs. Wheeldon was, or is, not only a suffragette and a self-proclaimed socialist but also right now she and a few of her friends run a network of homes giving succor to conscientious objectors. She’s all some of these lads have.”
Wheeldon’s Family and Support Network
Alice Wheeldon’s family played a crucial role in her activism. Her daughters, Hettie and Winnie, and her son-in-law, Alfred Mason, were equally committed to the anti-war cause. Together, they provided shelter and assistance to conscientious objectors, helping them evade conscription and persecution. This network of support extended beyond her immediate family to a colorful array of friends and associates, including prominent figures in UK history like John Clarke and Darrell Figgis.
John Clarke
John Clarke was an influential British socialist, anti-war activist, and public speaker, born in 1863 in Birmingham, England. At 17, he joined the circus where he became the youngest lion tamer in Britain at the time. A fervent advocate for social justice and workers’ rights, Clarke became well known for his impassioned speeches and organizational skills. He was actively involved in the Independent Labour Party (ILP), where he worked alongside notable figures such as Keir Hardie and Ramsay MacDonald.
Like Wheeldon, Clarke emerged as a prominent opponent of WWI. He was deeply involved in supporting conscientious objectors. He did so by providing legal assistance and shelter to those who refused to fight on moral or political grounds. Clarke was also a vocal supporter of women’s suffrage and various social reforms aimed at improving the lives of low-income and working class people. Despite significant opposition and legal challenges, he remained steadfast in his commitment to social justice, leaving a lasting impact on the labor movement in British history.
Darrell Figgis
Darrell Figgis was an Irish nationalist, writer, and politician, born on September 17, 1882, in Dublin, Ireland. A passion for literature and politics characterized Figgis’s early life. He moved to London in his youth, where he worked in the publishing industry and began writing poetry and novels. However, it was his commitment to Irish nationalism that defined his legacy.
Figgis became actively involved in the Irish independence movement, joining the Irish Volunteers in 1913. He played a significant role in the Howth gun-running of 1914, an operation to smuggle arms into Ireland for the Volunteers. During the Easter Rising of 1916, although not a combatant, the British authorities arrested and imprisoned Figgis. Following his release, he continued to work for Irish independence, contributing to the drafting of the Irish Free State Constitution in 1922.
In addition to his political activities, Figgis was a prolific writer, producing works of fiction, poetry, and political commentary. His literary output includes novels such as “The House of Success” and “A Chronicle of Jails.” These works reflect his deep engagement with the political struggles of his time. Despite challenges, including conflicts with other nationalist leaders, Darrell Figgis remains a significant figure in Irish history. He is remembered for his contributions to both the literary and political spheres.
My historical novel introduces some of Wheeldon’s circle, including Figgis, newly released from Reading Gaol. I also discuss some of their deeds in UK history:
Donnacha tried another tack. “How do you and Mr. Clarke know each other?”
“We are both poets — ” Mr. Clarke answered with a mock-Irish lilt.
“And gun runners!” Mrs. Wheeldon interjected, drawing a roar of laughter from the others. “Don’t let these two fool you, Father, with their saintly act.” She gazed at Mr. Clark like a proud mother, patting his arm. “My pet here was running guns to Russian revolutionaries when he was just past his Mam’s apron strings, and Darrell there, looking for all the world like butter wouldn’t melt, planned the purchase of 1500 Mauser rifles with Sir Roger Casement. He was right there when the Asgard landed at Howth Harbor in ’14.” She beamed.
Wheeldon’s Support for Conscientious Objectors During WWI
During the WWI period of UK history, the government introduced conscription, compelling men to join the military. Wheeldon vehemently opposed this policy and took active steps to support conscientious objectors. Her home became a haven for those evading conscription, providing them with shelter, resources, and guidance. This commitment to protecting individual conscience and opposing militarism put her in the crosshairs of the British authorities.
Wrongful Prosecution and the Shady Dealings of Alex Gordon
In 1917, Alex Gordon, a spy and agent provocateur, led a government sting operation that caught Wheeldon and her family. Gordon infiltrated Wheeldon’s circle under the guise of a deserter seeking refuge. He fabricated a plot suggesting that Wheeldon and her family were conspiring to assassinate Prime Minister David Lloyd George.
Inconsistencies riddled the trial that followed, heavily reliant on Gordon’s dubious testimony. Despite the lack of credible evidence, the court handed down convictions to Wheeldon, her daughter Winnie, and her son-in-law, Alfred Mason. Wheeldon’s ten-year prison sentence took a severe toll on her health.
Contemporary socialists and activists who saw it as a politically motivated attempt to silence dissent widely criticized the prosecution. The exposure of Gordon’s deceitful tactics eventually led to the disbandment of the Parliamentary Military Secretary Department (P.M.S.2) branch of MI5, the government agency responsible for such operations.
In Roseleigh’s historical fiction, Simon Burr’s police squad in Sheffield uses reinforcements from the group after its discrediting and disbanding. He is aware of their history and harbors some doubts about them:
Simon wondered about the training and reliability of the five members of the defunct P.M.S.2. that had joined him, Tom Selby, and Edgar Barlow to bring in Danny Flanigan, Ashcroft Stevens, and any of their confederates. The Parliamentary Military Secretary Department, №2 Section, a division of the Ministry of Munitions, was charged with protecting British arms manufacturing from sabotage. However, the group had been shut down earlier in the spring. An agent provocateur with a criminal history, Alex Gordon, had seen Derbians Alice Wheeldon and her family wrongfully convicted for a supposed plot to poison guard dogs that was grossly exaggerated into a plot to kill the then-Prime Minister. Now P.M.S.2 men had joined either the War Office or Scotland Yard.
Wheeldon’s Legacy
Alice Wheeldon’s impact on British history is multifaceted, encompassing her contributions to social justice, anti-war activism, and her wrongful persecution. Scholars and researchers have revisited and reassessed her story over the years, leading to a broader recognition of the injustices she faced. In 2012, the British government posthumously acknowledged the miscarriage of justice in her case, offering a symbolic exoneration.
Wheeldon’s life and actions continue to inspire contemporary movements advocating for peace, justice, and the protection of human rights. Her unwavering commitment to her principles, even in the face of state repression, serves as a powerful example of the importance of dissent in a democratic society.
In addition to official recognitions, various forms of media, including plays, books, and documentaries, have immortalized Alice Wheeldon’s story. These portrayals highlight her contributions and the broader historical context of resistance during World War I. They also show the resilience of individuals who challenge the status quo and fight for a more just and equitable society.
Conclusion
Alice Wheeldon’s life is a powerful example of unwavering commitment to social justice and political integrity. Her resistance to World War I, her wrongful prosecution, and her legacy offer valuable lessons about the importance of dissent in a democratic society. Wheeldon’s story is a testament to the strength of conviction and the enduring impact of standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. As history, particularly British history, continues to reflect on her contributions, Alice Wheeldon remains a symbol of courage and resilience in the pursuit of justice.
What do you think is the most important legacy of Alice Wheeldon? Let me know in the comments.
If you’d like to find out more about how Roseleigh depicts Alice Wheeldon, her friends, and family, in its historical fiction, join my mailing list.
Notes & References
Charlotte Tomlinson, “First World War Attitudes to Conscientious Objectors,” English Heritage: History and Stories.
Pauline Conolly, “Poison Pact Or Miscarriage Of Justice?”, paulineconolly.com, September 7, 2017.
