Suffragette meeting on Wimbledon Common

Rose Lamartine Yates, leading member and speaker of the Wimbledon branch of the Women's Social and Political Union, making a speech on Wimbledon Common.

Rose joined the Wimbledon branch of the Women's Social and Political Union soon after it was founded in January 1909. She was first arrested for militant action the following month for attending a deputation from Caxton Hall to the House of Commons. Despite her solicitor husband acting for her defence at her trial, Rose received a term of one month's imprisonment. Her son was 8 months old at the time. On her release Rose continued as an active member of the Wimbledon WSPU. In 1910 she became treasurer and organising secretary for the branch. She regularly chaired meetings on Wimbledon Common and, when the Government tried to prevent the WSPU from holding public meetings in open spaces, Rose maintained the right of free speech on the Common, despite facing hostile crowds held back by a large police presence. Rose's husband fully supported her work for the WSPU. He was a member of the Men's Political Union for Women's Franchisement and often acted as solicitor and legal advisor for WSPU prisoners.