Maud Joachim (1869 – 1947)
At Dundee Police Court, on 20th October 1909, it was alleged that on 19th October, on Reform Street, Maud Joachim had conducted herself in a disorderly manner and committed a breach of the peace. She had interrupted a meeting held by Winston Churchill by leading a crowd and shouting 'This way! Votes for women'. Maud admitted the charge, but said the guilt rested with Mr Asquith, The Prime Minister, who was 'misgoverning this country and provoking disorder.'
She was sentenced to a fine of 40 shillings or 10 days' imprisonment. Maud went to prison where she was released after a 4 day hunger strike.
Maud, born in 1869 was the daughter of a wool merchant. She was the niece of Joseph Joachim, a violinist and composer.
She joined the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1907. In February 1908 Maud was arrested for demonstrating outside the House of Commons and sentenced to six weeks imprisonment.
On her release, she published an article in 'Votes for Women' where she argued: 'What one finds on joining the WSPU is, that one is brought into contact with a great number of people whose ideals are the same as one's own, and that the isolation and the reproach are things of the past.'
Maud ceased to be active in WSPU after attempts were made in July 1913 to burn down the houses of two members of the government who opposed women having the vote. She saw this as going beyond respectable methods of campaigning.
She died in Steyning, Sussex, in 1947.
Maud's case can be examined in a file held by National Records of Scotland.