Hunger Strike Medal: Maud Joachim

Hunger Strike medal in original presentation box, awarded to Maud Joachim by the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU). The lined interior of the box lid is printed in gilt: ‘Presented to MAUD JOACHIM by the Women’s Social & Political Union in recognition of a gallant action, whereby through endurance to the last extremity of hunger and hardship, a great principle of political justice was vindicated.’

Maud was arrested in Dundee on 20th October 1909, along with fellow suffragettes Adela Pankhurst, Helen Archdale, Catherine Corbett and Laura Evans. They had interrupted a meeting led by Winston Churchill the previous day by leading a crowd and shouting “This way! Votes for Women!” Maud was sent to prison, where she was released after a four day hunger strike. She was fed by force while serving another prison sentence in March 1912.

Item Details

Date: 1909-12

Catalogue record: GWL-2023-86

Type of object:

Material: Silver, enamel, fabric ribbon

Size: H: 67 x W: 40 mm (medal); W: 102 x D: 60 mm (box)

Item Media

Item Images

Presentation box containing a Hunger Strike Medal for Maud Joachim. The interior of the lid is printed in gilt: 'Presented to MAUD JOACHIM by the Women's Social & Political Union in recognition of a gallant action, whereby through endurance to the last extremity of hunger and hardship, a great principle of political justice was vindicated.'. The interior of the box is green velvet. The medal reads "For Valour" in purple at the top, under which is a purple, white, and green ribbon bracketed by a purple, white, and green bar. Below the ribbon is the date, "October 19th, 1909" in White. At the bottom is a circular medal that says "Hunger Strike" in green.
Medal presented to Maud Joachim by the WSPU in recognition of her hunger strike.
close up image of the reverse of Maud Joachim's Hunger Strike medal with the words "Fed by Force 1/3/12" inscribed on the bottom bar of the medal
Detail of inscription on the reverse of Maud Joachim's hunger strike medal

Connections and References

References

Posts and pages from around the website which refer to this Collection Item

We Deserve a Medal: Militant Suffrage Activism

The fight for women's suffrage in the UK grew and gained momentum throughout the Victorian era. WSPU activists, known as suffragettes, engaged in all sorts of law-breaking activities to raise the profile of the movement. At the time, these actions were considered shocking and divided public opinion, but suffragettes remained resolute. Thousands were arrested, imprisoned and force-fed.