Florence E Lockwood, Black Rock Mills, Linthwaite, War Diaries and Notes (KC329)
1914 - 1918
'Signs of the Times'
Excerpt from diary Sep 1916
The diaries regularly document the events of the First World War, through Florence Lockwood’s thoughts and actions, relevant newspaper cuttings and photos. Some entries are entitled ‘signs of the times’, others merely 'notes’, and there are also diary entries chronicling her daily life in Colne Valley. Throughout the diaries we see her thoughts and views about the war, and how it has affected not only her life but also the lives of others.
A typical entry for 13 September 1916 records a conversation with her sister-in-law, in which the two women clearly have different views about the war. Florence Lockwood says that her sister-in-law is enjoying the fact that she has three sons fighting at the front, but Florence considers that the boys have been sent to murder, and writes:
‘She said go forth to be killed. They could be killed in a better cause said I. Be killed rather than kill. Make a stand against the futile horror of war.’
It is, therefore, poignant that on another page of the diary she has written the names of all her male relatives, and as they have been killed or gone missing in action, their names have been crossed through in red pen and the date is written by their name.
Florence Lockwood was also a fervent supporter of the League of Nations and the diaries follow the peace settlement of Versailles and the setting up of the League of Nations. Through the diaries we learn that Florence would rather that international difficulties be settled through diplomacy and talks, rather than the bullet and violence.
A typical entry for 13 September 1916 records a conversation with her sister-in-law, in which the two women clearly have different views about the war. Florence Lockwood says that her sister-in-law is enjoying the fact that she has three sons fighting at the front, but Florence considers that the boys have been sent to murder, and writes:
‘She said go forth to be killed. They could be killed in a better cause said I. Be killed rather than kill. Make a stand against the futile horror of war.’
It is, therefore, poignant that on another page of the diary she has written the names of all her male relatives, and as they have been killed or gone missing in action, their names have been crossed through in red pen and the date is written by their name.
Florence Lockwood was also a fervent supporter of the League of Nations and the diaries follow the peace settlement of Versailles and the setting up of the League of Nations. Through the diaries we learn that Florence would rather that international difficulties be settled through diplomacy and talks, rather than the bullet and violence.
A woman with many interests…
Notes on women's work during the war
Florence Murray was born in 1861 in Devonport, Devon, and married Josiah Lockwood, a director of Charles Lockwood and Sons Ltd, woollen manufacturers, of Black Rock Mills, Linthwaite, near Huddersfield.
Whilst living in the Colne Valley, near Huddersfield, Florence Lockwood took an active part in the political and social life of the district. As well as working for the suffrage movement, she was also president of Colne Valley Women’s Liberal Association and represented the Colne Valley at national federation meetings. For several years, she was a member of the Huddersfield Board of Guardians and president of the Linthwaite District Nursing Association.
Florence Lockwood was an artist and painted numerous pictures of scenes in the Colne Valley. She was a vice-president of Huddersfield Art Society and many of her pictures were displayed at the society’s exhibitions. She also embroidered a banner for the women’s suffrage society bearing a Colne Valley scene and the motto ‘Votes for Homes’.
Read the complete diaries online on the History to Herstory catalogue or view the entries on our online catalogue under finding number KC329 and KC909.
Whilst living in the Colne Valley, near Huddersfield, Florence Lockwood took an active part in the political and social life of the district. As well as working for the suffrage movement, she was also president of Colne Valley Women’s Liberal Association and represented the Colne Valley at national federation meetings. For several years, she was a member of the Huddersfield Board of Guardians and president of the Linthwaite District Nursing Association.
Florence Lockwood was an artist and painted numerous pictures of scenes in the Colne Valley. She was a vice-president of Huddersfield Art Society and many of her pictures were displayed at the society’s exhibitions. She also embroidered a banner for the women’s suffrage society bearing a Colne Valley scene and the motto ‘Votes for Homes’.
Read the complete diaries online on the History to Herstory catalogue or view the entries on our online catalogue under finding number KC329 and KC909.
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