Victor Duval

Victor Adler

Victor Diederichs Duval, the second eldest son of Jane Emily Hayes Duval and Ernest Charles Augustus Diederichs Duval, was born on 16th March 1885. Jane gave birth to nine children: Ernest (1882), Victor (1885), Walter (1887), Barbara (1888), Norah (1891), Elsie (1893), Winifred (1895), Gurney (1897) and Ivy (1901). The family lived at 52 Wycliffe Road, Battersea. (1)

Emily Duval was a supporter of women's suffrage and she joined the Women Social & Political Union (WSPU) in 1906. At a conference in September 1907, Emmeline Pankhurst "tore up the constitution" and told members that she intended to run the WSPU without interference. (2)

As Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence pointed out: "She called upon those who had faith in her leadership to follow her, and to devote themselves to the sole end of winning the vote. This announcement was met with a dignified protest from Mrs. Despard. These two notable women presented a great contrast, the one aflame with a single idea that had taken complete possession of her, the other upheld by a principle that had actuated a long life spent in the service of the people. Mrs. Despard calmly affirmed her belief in democratic equality and was convinced that it must be maintained at all costs. Mrs. Pankhurst claimed that there was only one meaning to democracy, and that was equal citizenship in a State, which could only be attained by inspired leadership. She challenged all who did not accept the leadership of herself and her daughter to resign from the Union that she had founded, and to form an organisation of their own." (3)

Emmeline Pankhurst and Christabel Pankhurst sent out a letter to all branches of the WSPU stating that this was not in any way a democratic group. "We are not playing experiments with representative government. We are not a school for teaching women how to use the vote. We are a militant movement... It is not a school for teaching women how to use the vote. We are militant movement... It is after all a voluntary militant movement: those who cannot follow the general must drop out of the ranks." As Simon Webb has pointed out: "This is quite unambiguous. Members must not expect to influence policy or question the leader, the role is limited to obeying orders." (4)

Women's Suffrage

As a result of this speech, Emily Duval, Muriel Matters, Helen Fox, Charlotte Despard, Teresa Billington-Greig, Edith How-Martyn, Violet Tillard, Dora Marsden, Helena Normanton, Anne Cobden Sanderson, Octavia Lewin, Emma Sproson, Margaret Nevinson, Henria Williams and seventy other members of the WSPU left to form the Women's Freedom League (WFL). Most of its members were socialists who wanted to work closely with the Labour Party who "regarded it as hypocritical for a movement for women's democracy to deny democracy to its own members." (5)

In 1907, Emily Duval became chair of the Battersea branch. Two of her daughters, Barbara Duval and Elsie Duval, also joined the Women's Freedom League. (6) In January 1908 Emily was sentenced to one month's imprisonment after taking part in a deputation to H. H. Asquith, the prime minister, at his home at Cavendish Square. (7)

Emily Duval (1908)
Emily Duval (1908)

On 28th October 1908 Muriel Matters organised a Women's Freedom League demonstration that would gain the maximum publicity. Matters and Helen Fox were in the ladies' gallery of the House of Commons, then enclosed from the rest of the chamber by a metal grille. The two women interrupted the business of the house by demonstrating for women's suffrage. "While attached to the grille Matters, by a legal technicality, was judged to be on the floor of Parliament and thus, the words spoken by her that day are still considered to be the first delivered by a woman in the House of Commons." (8)

When officials made attempts to remove them, it was discovered that they had chained and padlocked themselves to the grille in such a way that in order to remove them the grille would have to be removed as well. The two women sat in a committee room until a locksmith was found to separate them from the thirty-foot long grille. (9)

The London Illustrated News (7th November 1908)
The London Illustrated News (7th November 1908)

Muriel Matters then went round to join the demonstration taking place in front of Parliament. Fifteen arrests were made including Emily Duval, Muriel Matters, Violet Tillard, Alison Neilans, Barbara Duval, Arnold Cutler, Edith Bremer, Margaret Henderson and Marion Leighfield. (10)

Emily and Barbara Duval were charged with disorderly conduct. Emily paid her fine and Barbara was released after promising to refrain from further militancy until she was twenty-one. At her trial, Emily was described as "a lady agitator who was bringing up her daughter to be a lady agitator". (11)

Emily Duval had also brought up her son Victor to be involved in politics. He was secretary of the Clapham League of Young Liberals but resigned in 1909 after seeing women's suffrage protestors being badly treated at a meeting where John Burns, a government cabinet minister, was speaking. (12) Duval was "severely handled many times when protesting at Cabinet Ministers’ meetings." (13)

In the summer of 1909 Duval was charged with "aiding and abetting" Marion Wallace-Dunlop in stencilling an advertisement for the suffragettes' Bill of Rights procession on the walls of St Stephen's Hall. (14) The Wandsworth Borough News reported: Marion Wallace Dunlop, 44, described as an artist, on Montpelier Road, Ealing, was charged with wilfully damaging the stonework of St Stephen's Hall, House of Commons, by stamping it with an indelible rubber stamp; and Victor Duval, 25, clerk, of Lindor Road, Battersea, was accused of aiding and abetting her. Duval said he wished to complain about having been locked up in an insanitary cell for four hours and a half before he was bailed out." (15)

Men's Political Union for Women's Enfranchisement

On 13th January 1910, Victor Duval, formed the Men's Political Union for Women's Enfranchisement (MPU). Duval later explained that "The society was formed as a result of a growing conviction among men, as well as women, that the delay in removal of the sex disqualification from the Parliamentary franchise was due to the determined indifference of the Government rather than to any considerable opposition in the country." (16)

In a leaflet published in 1910 the MPU pointed out that it would oppose all governments in power until such time as the franchise is granted. The MPU outlined the methods it would use: "Vigorous agitation and the education of public opinion by all the usual methods, such as public meetings, demonstrations, debates, distribution of literature, newspaper correspondence and deputations to public representatives." (17)

Men's Political Union for Women's Enfranchisement leaflet (January, 1910)
Men's Political Union for Women's Enfranchisement leaflet (January, 1910)

On 17th October, 1910, Victor Duval was charged with using threatening and insuting language when David Lloyd George arrived at the City Temple to address a meeting of the Liberal Christian League. The police alleged that Duval had rushed from the crowd, and grabbed the chancellor's coat lapels as he got out of his motor car, shouting, "Traitor! Lloyd George, you're a scoundrel, and a traitor to the woman's cause." Duval was found guilty and was sentenced to seven days in Pentonville Prison. (18)

In November 1911 Duval was arrested during a demonstration outside the House of Commons. "The defendant, Victor Duval had been remanded last week that he might call evidence for the defence on a charge of obstruction. One witness said the policeman clutched Duval's throat, and forced his head back for two or three minutes. The police behaved riotously towards the woman in his opinion. Prisoner also made allegations against the police. After fining Duval 10s on a charge of obstruction the Magistrate said there had been a good many cases arising out of the disturbances, and he had dealt leniently with them. If anything of the kind occurred again the offenders must not expect to get off so easily. In cases of wilful damage, especially of personal violence, he should deal very differently with offenders than he had on this occasion." (19)

Marriage to Una Dugdale

In 1911 Victor Duval met Una Dugdale, an active member of the Women Social & Political Union (WSPU). Dugdale had earlier explained why she was a militant suffragette: The Uxbridge Gazette reported: "The militant tactics had not put back the movement, but on the contrary had put more life and new blood into it. She falsified the statements that the methods of the suffragettes in the past were unwomanly, and said that self-presentation applied to women as well as men. Women's honour and their birth right was at present behind locked doors, and it behoved them to force the doors down. They had to walk side of the whole of their sex, not only of these islands, but all over the world." (20)

Una Dugdale by Ethel Wright (1912)
Una Dugdale by Ethel Wright (1912)

The couple married on 13th January 1912. It was announced that the word "obey" would be omitted from the marriage service at the Savoy Chapel. However, the Archbishop of Canterbury, sent his representative to tell the Rev. Hugh Chapman, that the omission would make the validity of the marriage doubtful. "The couple acquiesced, and the usual marriage ceremony was proceeded with." (21)

Margaret Nevinson later pointed out in The Vote, the newspaper of the Women's Freedom League, that the wedding had "the unique experience of a ceremony where bride and bridegroom, bridegroom's mother, most of the bridesmaids, and many of the guests had all suffered terms of imprisonment." (22)

Una Dugdale and Victor Duval on their wedding day (13th January, 1912)
Una Dugdale and Victor Duval on their wedding day (13th January, 1912)

In the Pall Mall Gazette, the vicar who officiated at her wedding, Hugh Chapman, argued that there should be a discussion on the wording of the wedding service. "The intention of a true marriage is that the service entered on should be altogether mutual and equal, each glorying in a deference which crowns the other without the smallest lowering of themselves. It would most assuredly be a good work and is clear case for a referendum to the clergy, if their opinions on the whole subject were canvassed throughout." (23)

It was reported in the Aberdeen Press and Journal that the story had begun a national debate on the subject. Millicent Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland, stated that "obey" an unnecessary word. "Love and honour" stand much stronger without it. Jennie Spencer-Churchill, the wife of George Cornwallis-West said that although the "husband should be recognised as the head of the house between two people who are admittedly to the companions, the word is grotesque." The newspaper quoted Lena Ashwell and Beatrice Harraden as saying they would have the word "obey" left out of the wedding service. (24)

As Catherine Blackford pointed out: "Marriage reform had long been a feminist concern and Duval's standpoint signified a feminist commitment to marriage as an equal partnership based on love and respect rather than subservience and subordination." (25) Later that year she explained her reasons for departing from convention in her pamphlet Love and Honour but not Obey. (26)

Victor Duval was arrested along with Emily Duval and Sarah Carwin on 22nd May 1914. According to the Dublin Evening Herald: "Sarah Carwin kept up a running commentary during the evidence. She was ordered to be bound over, and left the dock protesting against the course... Mrs Emily Duval, who was charged with assault and disorderly conduct, said she went to her son's assistance when she saw him struck. A police-sergeant stated that the defendant struck him in the face and kicked him. Mr Musket, for the police, said the accused had also previous convictions against her. She was now fined 40s or 20 days. A fine of £3 was made on her son, Victor Duval, charge with striking a detective constable and with disorderly conduct." (27)

First World War

The British government declared war on Germany on 4th August 1914. Two days later, Millicent Garrett Fawcett, the leader of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies declared that the organization was suspending all political activity until the conflict was over. Fawcett supported the war effort, but she refused to become involved in persuading young men to join the armed forces. The Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) took a different view to the war. It was a spent force with very few active members. According to Martin Pugh, the WSPU were aware "that their campaign had been no more successful in winning the vote than that of the non-militants whom they so freely derided". (28)

The WSPU carried out secret negotiations with the government and on the 10th August the government announced it was releasing all suffragettes from prison. In return, the WSPU agreed to end their militant activities and help the war effort. Christabel Pankhurst, arrived back in England after living in exile in Paris. She told the press: "I feel that my duty lies in England now, and I have come back. The British citizenship for which we suffragettes have been fighting is now in jeopardy." (29)

Victor Duval of the Men's Political Union for Women's Enfranchisement shouted out "Votes for Women". Christabel rebuked him by commenting "We cannot discuss that now." (30) Sylvia listened with dismay of her sister's speech, "wholly for the War; light, dialectic, as though of some academic political contest; no hint appeared of the appalling tragedy. I listened to her with grief, resolved to speak more urgently for peace." (31) Emily Duval agreed with her son and condemned the decision of the WSPU to support the First World War. (32) Despite these comments Victor Duval later served with the Royal Engineers at Salonika. (33)

Parliamentary Candidate

After the First World War Una Duval appears to have devoted herself to family life, in particular bringing up her two daughters; but she did not encourage them to take up careers. (34) Una Duval remained committed to preserving the memory of the militant suffrage struggle and in 1926 along with Edith How-Martyn she formed the Suffragette Fellowship to "perpetuate the memory of the pioneers and outstanding events connected with women's emancipation and especially with the militant suffrage campaign, 1905-14, and thus keep alive the suffragette spirit". (35)

Victor's mother, Emily Duval, continued to be involved in politics and after joining the Labour Party served on the Battersea Borough Council from 1918 to 1921. (36) Her political career came to an end "when she was stricken with paralysis, bearing her sufferings with characteristic courage and patience till the end. No doubt the strain of suffrage work, the war, and the tragic deaths of her three of her young daughters broke her down prematurely." (37)

Victor Duval stood unsuccessfuly for the Liberal Party at South Nottingham (December, 1923) and North Camberwell (October 1924). Una Dugdale Duval used to sing at his political meetings. The Westminster Gazette reported: The Liberal candidate for North Camberwell (Mr Victor Duval) was continually interrupted with parrot cries at a meeting at Old Kent Road Baths on Saturday night. Finally he announced that his wife would sing, but as soon as she started the rowdies yelled and whistled and then screeched "The Red Flag". "Now I know what you are," said the candidate. (38)

In the 1929 General Election Duval was the Liberal Party candidate in South-West Norfolk on the recommendation of Herbert Samuel. At an election meeting in April he criticised the Conservative government led by Stanley Baldwin: "Turning to politics generally, he said they were constantly being told that the taxpayers could look for no relief, and it would appear that was the opinion of the government. Every year new taxes were put on, but there appeared to be no thought of taking taxes off, and although in the Budget there were some measures of relief for agriculture and for the income-tax payer in regard to children, yet the main result of that Budget was that certain burdens were removed from the shoulders of one section. The duty of a Government should be to legislate for all people without respect to any particular to any particular class or section… Mr Duval went on to declare himself a Free Trader, and concluded by declaring his faith in capitalism and private enterprise, and protesting against the Socialist preaching of class warfare." (39)    

After finishing a poor third to the Labour Party candidate, William Taylor, in the General Election he changed his mind about socialism and joined the Labour Party: "I have come to the conclusion after careful consideration that it is today through the Labour Party that the active advance towards a brighter and better life for the people for which I have so long fought can best be realised." (40)

Victor Diederichs Duval died on 4th October 1945.

Primary Sources

(1) Exmouth Journal (31 October 1908)

Suffragettes cause of another scene in the House of Commons on Wednesday evenings. Two women chained themselves to the grille in front of the Ladies' Gallery, and a portion of the grille had to be removed by the police in order to release them…

Disturbances also occurred at the same time outside the House, leading to numerous arrests for disorderly conduct outside St. Stephen's Hall, and for attempting to harangue a throng at the base of the monument in front of the House of Lords. The two women who were the principal figures in the disturbances in the Ladies Gallery gave their names of Helen Fox and Muriel Matters…

No less than fifteen arrests were made in connection with the disturbances in St Stephen's Hall. They gave their names as follows: Arnold Cutler, Miss Violet Tillard, Miss Edith Bremer, Mrs. Emily Duval, Miss Margaret Henderson, Miss Alison Neilans, Miss Marion Leighfield… They were taken to Cannon Row Police Station, and were bailed out later.

(2) Wandsworth Borough News (2nd July 1909)

Efforts by the Women's Social and Political Union to advertise Tuesday's "Votes for Women" demonstration, resulted in the appearance of one of the number, who was accompanied in the dock by a young man, at Bow Street, Police Court, on Friday.

Marion Wallace Dunlop, 44, described as an artist, on Montpelier Road, Ealing, was charged with wilfully damaging the stonework of St Stephen's Hall, House of Commons, by stamping it with an indelible rubber stamp; and Victor Duval, 25, clerk, of Lindor Road, Battersea, was accused of aiding and abetting her. Duval said he wished to complain about having been locked up in an insanitary cell for four hours and a half before he was bailed out…

Mr. Pethick Lawrence and Mrs Flora Murray became sureties for Miss Dunlop

(3) Men's Political Union for Women's Enfranchisement leaflet (January, 1910)

Object: To secure for women the Parliamentary Vote on the same terms as it is or may be granted to men.

Methods: (1) Action entirely independent of all political parties. (2) Opposition to whatever Government is in power until such time as the franchise is granted. (3) Participation in Parliamentary Elections in opposition to the Government candidates, and independently of all other candidates. (4) Vigorous agitation and the education of public opinion by all the usual methods, such as public meetings, demonstrations, debates, distribution of literature, newspaper correspondence and deputations to public representatives.

(4) Victor Duval, The Evening Standard (2nd December 1911)

Woman's demand for the vote can claim to be the highest expression of civilisation, for its dominant note in the law, civilisation among nations mean the gradual elimination of all elements of anarchy and disorder.

People may differ as to the precise form in which the vote should be given, but the student of history is bound to admit the wisdom of its advocates in claiming no more than it is possible, in present circumstances, to obtain. It may be argued that it would be a bad thing for all women to have votes, or for only a limited number to have votes, but from no point of view can be justified the exclusion of every woman from participation in Imperial government.

There are two aspects of government – home and foreign affairs. As to home affairs women have already shown their capacity and usefulness in purely local administration, and they now seek a share in legislation, rightly feeling that problems affecting their well-being are not otherwise capable of satisfactory solution.

Have they not before them the records of glaring injustices suffered by women because of their sex? Consider the laws of inheritance, those relating to marriage and divorce, illegitimacy, etc. This state of affairs, wittingly or unwittingly, brands women as an inferior being, with the result that in spheres other than legislative woman suffers. Her average wages are less than 10s. per week. As a rule she works longer hours than men, and if she is married worker her labour is never ended. Again, men have always had access to education, the universities and the learned professions. Women on the other hand, have had to fight inch by inch for every privilege, not, because of their unworthiness or unfitness, but solely because of their sex.

As to the moral value of women in young States, it is interesting to observe that the women of Australia first formed temperance societies, and later, within these, established a woman's suffrage department, because experience taught them that without the vote they would be unable to do very much. Now they possess the vote, and Colonial statesman bear witness one and all to the benefits which have occurred to their States from the inclusion of women in the electoral roll.

(5) Aberdeen Press and Journal (17th January 1912) 

The Rev Hugh Chapman, who conducted the wedding of Miss Una Dugdale and Mr. Victor Duval on Saturday, writing in the Pall Mall Gazette last night on the question of a revised marriage service, said - "The intention of a true marriage is that the service entered on should be altogether mutual and equal, each glorying in a deference which crowns the other without the smallest lowering of themselves. It would most assuredly be a good work and is clear case for a referendum to the clergy, if their opinions on the whole subject were canvassed throughout."

In addition to the list published in the journal yesterday, further opinions have been by well known women as to whether the word "obey" should be omitted from the marriage service.

The Duchess of Sutherland thinks "obey" an unnecessary word. "Love and honour" stand much stronger without it.

Mrs George Cornwallis-West says that, although the husband should be recognised as the head of the house between two people who are admittedly to the companions, the word is grotesque…

Lady Alexander thinks the word is hopelessly old-fashioned and out of date.

Miss Lena Ashwell and Miss Beatrice Harraden would have the word left out, and Madame Marchesi says that "In these days the obedience of a wife to a husband is an anachronism."

Miss Evelyn Milliard thinks its deletion would not make any difference, whilw Miss Helen Mathers says "Either leave ‘obey' in or don't get married at all. We want English, not American wives."

(6) The Dundee Evening Telegraph (5th December 1911)

At Bow Street today Mr Marsham heard the last of 223 cases arising out of the Suffragist disturbances at Westminster.

The defendant, Victor Duval had been remanded last week that he might call evidence for the defence on a charge of obstruction. One witness said the policeman clutched Duval's throat, and forced his head back for two or three minutes. The police behaved riotously towards the woman in his opinion.

Prisoner also made allegations against the police.

After fining Duval 10s on a charge of obstruction the Magistrate said there had been a good many cases arising out of the disturbances, and he had dealt leniently with them. If anything of the kind occurred again the offenders must not expect to get off so easily. In cases of wilful damage, especially of personal violence, he should deal very differently with offenders than he had on this occasion.

(7) Dublin Evening Herald (23rd May 1914)

Following on the Suffragette disturbances at Bow Street Police Court yesterday, five defendants appeared before Sir John Dickinson, today.

Sarah Carwin kept up a running commentary during the evidence. She was ordered to be bound over, and left the dock protesting against the course.

Another woman, described as "Number Four," aged 31, entering the dock, turned her back on the bench and clung to the rear rail of the dock. Her hands were pulled away. She then sat quietly and left the court in the ordinary manner. The charge against her was one of the insulting behaviour in throwing bags of flour at the magistrates, and, she was fined 40s or ten days. 

Mrs Emily Duval, who was charged with assault and disorderly conduct, said she went to her son's assistance when she saw him struck. A police-sergeant stated that the defendant struck him in the face and kicked him.

Mr Musket, for the police, said the accused had also previous convictions against her. She was now fined 40s or 20 days.

A fine of £3 was made on her son, Victor Duval, charge with striking a detective constable and with disorderly conduct.

(8) Westminster Gazette (27th October 1924)

The Liberal candidate for North Camberwell (Mr Victor Duval) was continually interrupted with parrot cries at a meeting at Old Kent Road Baths on Saturday night. Finally he announced that his wife would sing, but as soon as she started the rowdies yelled and whistled and then screeched "The Red Flag".

"Now I know what you are," said the candidate.

(9) The Lynn Advertiser (27th April 1928)

Mr Hughes introduced Mr Duval as having been recommended by the Federation by Sir Herbert Samuel. He was born in London in 1885. In 1913 he travelled in the Malay States, and during the war served in the Royal Engineers with the British Forces at Salonika. He had taken a prominent part in the women's suffrage movement. He was a cricketer, and had been a member of the Surrey Cricket Club, Mrs Duval had a niece of the late Viscount Peel who was a speaker of the House of Commons…

Turning to politics generally, he said they were constantly being told that the taxpayers could look for no relief, and it would appear that was the opinion of the government. Every year new taxes were put on, but there appeared to be no thought of taking taxes off, and although in the Budget there were some measures of relief for agriculture and for the income-tax payer in regard to children, yet the main result of that Budget was that certain burdens were removed from the shoulders of one section. The duty of a Government should be to legislate for all people without respect to any particular to any particular class or section…

Referring to the condition of industry, the speaker, said there was depression in the iron and steel trade and shipbuilding, and terrible conditions in coalmining. It was true that the war had impoverished the countries which bought goods from the countries which bought goods from the country, but the depression was worse because of the friction between employers and employed. They would not get very far unless the employers and employee. They would not get very far unless the employers and employed. They would not get very far unless the employers were prepared to give to the workers a much greater proportion of the product of industry as in the past. The standard of life was four or five times as high as it was 40 or 50 years ago, but if they were to have peace in industry and get greater production, to compete with foreigners and to get back their shipping trade, they must create throughout industry the idea of co-operation and co-partnership.

Mr Duval went on to declare himself a Free Trader, and concluded by declaring his faith in capitalism and private enterprise, and protesting against the Socialist preaching of class warfare.   

(10) The Nottingham Journal (25th September 1929)

Mr Victor Duval, who unsuccessfully contested South Nottingham in 1923, North Camberwell in 1924, and South-West Norfolk in the last General Election, in the Liberal interest, has written to Mr Lloyd George resigning from the Liberal Party and stating his intention of joining the Labour Party. He writes: "I have come to the conclusion after careful consideration that it is today through the Labour Party that the active advance towards a brighter and better life for the people for which I have so long fought can best be realised."

(11) Suffrage Annual and Women's Who's Who (1913) page 233

Founder and Honorary Secretary Men’s Political Union for Women’s Enfranchisement; born 16th March, 1885; married 13th January, 1912, to Una Stratford Dugdale, daughter of Oommander Dugdale, R.N.; joined Men’s League for Woman Suffrage in 1907 and resigned from Executive of the Clapham Liberal and Radical Association and League of Young Liberals in 1909. Severely handled many times when protesting at Cabinet Ministers’ meetings. In January, 1910, was responsible for the formation of the Men’s Political Union for Women’s Enfranchisement with an anti-Government policy, the first militant Suffrage society for men; arrested on October 17th, 1910, for addressing Mr. Lioyd George outside City Temple, and sentenced to one week’s imprisonment ; the first Suffragist to receive the benefit of Rule 243a; served five days’ imprisonment again in November, 1911 ; formed one of deputation to Mr.
Lloyd George, and acted as spokesman on October 15th, 1911, at Whitefield’s Tabernacle. Publications:
Pamphlets on Woman Suffrage, ‘‘An Appeal to Men," "Why I went to Prison.’" Recreations: Golf and billiards. Club: International Women’s Franchise. Telephone : Western 6928. Address: 18, Harrington Road, 8.W.

(12) David Simkin, Family History Research (24th March, 2023)

Victor Diederichs Duval was the second eldest son of Jane Emily Hayes (1860–1924) and Ernest Charles Augustus Diederichs Duval (1858–1953). Victor's father was born Ernest Charles Augustus Diederichs on 13th September 1858 in Mainz, in the Rhineland-Palatinate of Germany to an unmarried woman Emilie/Amelie Diederichs (born 1838, Alsace, France). As a baby, Ernest Diederichs was fostered out to a midwife and her husband, both Roman Catholics..Emilie's brother, Ernst Karl Diederichs, took financial responsibility for her son Ernest and served as his godfather. Ernest Charles Diederichs was baptised as a Protestant. (Ernest's putative father, Eduard Ludwig Schott von Schottenstein was a Lutheran Protestant).

By 1871, Ernest's mother, Emilie/Amelie Diederichs, was residing in London and was employed as a teacher. (At the time of the 1871 Census, Emilie / Amelie Diederichs was recorded as a "Professor of Music and German" and in the 1881 Census she was described as a "Teacher of French"). Between 1858 and 1875, Ernest Diederichs was brought up by his foster parents in Germany. Ernest Diederichs' foster father died in 1873 and his foster mother died in 1874. In 1875, with both his foster parents dead, Ernest Diederichs joined his mother in Battersea, London, but changed his surname to "Duval" so that his unmarried mother was not disgraced and could continue working as a teacher. On the 1881 Census return, Amelie Diederichs and her son Ernest are recorded at 52 Wycliffe Road, Battersea, London. Amelie Diederichs is described as an unmarried "Teacher of French" and her 23-year-old son (under the assumed name of 'Ernest Duval' ) is entered as her "lodger". Ernest Duval gives his occupation as "Correspondence Clerk". Living on the same road as Ernest Duval, at No. 37 Wycliffe Road, Battersea, is 20-year-old "Machinist" Jane Emily Hayes, the daughter of Jane and Thomas Hayes, a "Coachman" in domestic service. Jane Emily Hayes had been born in the Mayfair district of London on 25th November 1860.

On 19th September 1881, at St Mary's Church, Battersea, 23-year-old "Ernest Duval" married 20-year-old Jane Emily Hayes. On the marriage register "Ernest Duval" declared that his father was "Edward Duval, Merchant". Ernest Duval gives his occupation as "Correspondent". Amelie Diederichs (Ernest's mother) is recorded as a witness to the marriage.

The union of 'Ernest Duval' and Jane Emily Hayes produced 9 children:

(1) Ernest Edward Diederichs Duval (1882-1904) who worked as a "Commercial Clerk" before he died from heart disease at the age of 22.

(2) Victor Diederichs Duval (born 16th March 1885, Battersea, Surrey - died 4th October 1945, Queen Victoria Hospital, Morecambe, Lancashire) - see below.

(3) Walter Diederichs Duval (1887-1887). Died 10 days after birth from "Congenital malformation of heart".

(4) Barbara Diederichs Duval (born 11th September 1888, Battersea, Surrey - died 5th January 1919 at South London Hospital for Women, Clapham Common, London).
From the age of 20, Barbara Duval was active in the Women's Suffrage Movement.
1908. Arrested when Muriel Matters chained herself to the grille in the House of Commons. Released on promise to refrain from militancy until age of 21.
1911. Mass window-breaking, and rushing of police cordons. Siblings Elsie Duval and Victor Duval, and her mother, Mrs Jane Emily, also participated.
28 November 1911. Tried for militant suffragist activity at Bow Street Court.
1915. Married Denis Gerald Barry (born circa 1893, Bray, Dublin, Ireland). Served in the British Army during WW1. After the death of his wife, in 1921 emigrated to West Africa.
Marriage produced one child - Denis Francis Doyne Barry (1915–1988).
Death
On 5th January 1919, Barbara Barry (née Duval) died at South London Hospital for Women, Clapham Common, London. Cause of death: Influenza & Lobar Pneumonia. (Spanish 'Flu Epidemic?)

(5) Norah Diederichs Duval (born 8th January 1891, Battersea, Surrey, – died 1972, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire).
1912. Arrested for window smashing. 2nd March 1912, tried for window smashing at Bow Street Court, London. 4 months imprisonment.
20th June 1913. Assisted Lilian Lenton to escape police surveillance. Norah posed as a baker's boy, then changed clothes with Lilian who departed in the van.
16th July 1920 at St John the Evangelist Church, Putney, Norah Duval married Arthur Gerald Benstead (1889–1968), an electrical engineer.
Two sons from marriage - Derek Gerald Benstead (1922–1991) and Arthur Rodney Benstead (born 1926, Kingston, Surrey).

6) Elsie Diederichs Duval (born 19th February 1893, Battersea, Surrey - died 1st January 1919, 35 Porchester Terrace, Hyde Park, London)

(7) Winifred Diederichs Duval (born 2nd June 1895, Battersea, Surrey - died 25th April 1918, Ewell Colony, Epsom, Surrey). Cause of death: "Pulmonary Tuberculosis".

(8) Gurney Diederichs Duval (born 27th November 1897, Battersea, Surrey - died some time after 1967). Served in the British Army during WW1. Worked in various jobs - electrical engineer, cafe owner, security officer. Married twice. First marriage dissolved.

(9) Ivy Emily Diederichs Duval (1901–1902). Died in infancy.

Student Activities

The Middle Ages

The Normans

The Tudors

The English Civil War

Industrial Revolution

First World War

Russian Revolution

Nazi Germany

United States: 1920-1945

References

(1) David Simkin, Family History Research (24th March, 2023)

(2) Martin Pugh, The Pankhursts (2001) page 166

(3) Diane Atkinson, Rise Up, Women!: The Remarkable Lives of the Suffragettes (2018) page 214

(4) Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence, My Part in a Changing World (1938) page 175-176

(5) Simon Webb, The Suffragette Bombers: Britain's Forgotten Terrorists (2014) page 37

(6) Diane Atkinson, Rise Up, Women!: The Remarkable Lives of the Suffragettes (2018) page 214

(7) Elizabeth Crawford, The Women's Suffrage Movement: A Reference Guide 1866-1928 (2000) page 181

(8) Frances Bedford, Muriel Matters (2020)

(9) Margaret Mulvihill, Charlotte Despard (1989) page 87

(10) Exmouth Journal (31 October 1908)

(11) Diane Atkinson, Rise Up, Women!: The Remarkable Lives of the Suffragettes (2018) page 214

(12) Elizabeth Crawford, The Women's Suffrage Movement: A Reference Guide 1866-1928 (2000) page 181

(13) Suffrage Annual and Women's Who's Who (1913) page 233

(14) Diane Atkinson, Rise Up, Women!: The Remarkable Lives of the Suffragettes (2018) page 214

(15) Wandsworth Borough News (2nd July 1909)

(16) Elizabeth Crawford, The Women's Suffrage Movement: A Reference Guide 1866-1928 (2000) page 181

(17) Men's Political Union for Women's Enfranchisement leaflet (January, 1910)

(18) The Times (30th October, 1910)

(19) The Dundee Evening Telegraph (5th December 1911)

(20) The Uxbridge Gazette (9th April, 1910)

(21) The Overland China Mail (20th January 1912)

(22) Margaret Nevinson, The Vote (14th November 1924)

(23) Hugh Chapman, Pall Mall Gazette (16th January 1912)

(24) Aberdeen Press and Journal (17th January 1912) 

(25) Catherine Blackford, Una Dugdale Duval: Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (23rd September 2004)

(26) Una Dugdale Duval, Love and Honour but Not Obey (1912)

(27) Dublin Evening Herald (23rd May 1914)

(28) Martin Pugh, The Pankhursts (2001) page 300

(29) The Star (4th September, 1914)

(30) Rachel Holmes, Sylvia Pankhurst: Natural Born Rebel (2020) page 434

(31) Sylvia Pankhurst, The Suffragette Movement: An Immediate Account of Persons and Ideals (1977) page 66

(32) Elizabeth Crawford, The Women's Suffrage Movement: A Reference Guide 1866-1928 (2000) page 181

(33) The Lynn Advertiser (27th April 1928)

(34) Catherine Blackford, Una Dugdale Duval: Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (23rd September 2004)

(35) Diane Atkinson, Rise Up, Women!: The Remarkable Lives of the Suffragettes (2018) page 535-36

(36) The Daily Herald (21st June 1921)

(37) Margaret Nevinson, The Vote (14th November 1924)

(38) The Westminster Gazette (27th October 1924)

(39) The Lynn Advertiser (27th April 1928)

(40) The Nottingham Journal (25th September 1929)