Emily Frances Siddon

"We still have to win our Waterloo," remarked Miss Siddon, amidst applause. "we cannot afford to lose; we must fight to win with all the rightful and lawful means at our disposal."

EMILY FRANCES SIDDON © IWM (WWC D8-6-302)

Women's Suffrage Work

Emily Siddon was a founding member and the first president of the Huddersfield branch of the NUWSS. She was the perfect figure-head for the local branch as a single woman, landowner, employer and taxpayer. In 1907 she was made a Vice-President for the Council of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies. ​

Biography

Emily Frances Siddon was born in Mansfield, about 1844, to wealthy parents. After her parents died, she moved to Honley where her mother had been born. We find her in the 1871 census aged 26 as Head of the Household living with her nephew, a female companion and 3 female servants. By 1911 she was living in the 14 room Honley House, with the same companion and 6 female servants. ​

​In 1883 she became a Poor Law Guardian, one of the first 27 female guardians in the country. By 1903 she was the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Guardians and was repeatedly offered the Chairmanship, which she declined until 1913.

​After 26 years service on the Board of Guardians, she was presented with a life-sized portrait, an illuminated address, and a diamond, pearl and gold pendant. ​

She also became President of the Soldiers & Sailors Families Association in Huddersfield during the First World War for which she was given on OBE in 1918. In addition, she was Vice Chairman of the Huddersfield War Pension Committee as well as member of various other organisations. ​

In 1920 she was made a Justice of the Peace through her role as a Poor Law Guardian. The second woman in the country to be given this role. ​