Hurst Park Grandstand
On 14 June 1913, Clara and her fellow suffragette Kitty Marion (pictured here) were spotted at 10.45pm walking in the direction of the racecourse. Each carried a large wicker basket full of flammable oil. The women were spotted leaving the scene at haste. Eye witnesses noticed some fire damage to their clothing.
The fire raged from midnight until 5.30am and the damage to the building was estimated between £7,000 and £10,000.
The police traced the women back to a lodging house near Kew Gardens. A carpet found at the fire matched a piece found in Marion's room alongside suffragette literature and diary logs relating to previous fires - on this evidence and the witness testimony, the women were convicted.
Clara Giveen was sentenced to jail time in Holloway Prison. She underwent force-feeding and was released from prison under the 'Cat and Mouse Act'.
Image description
- Kitty Marion NPG x45561
Cat and Mouse Poster 50.82/1113a