Plan to mark place of anti-war protest

On September 9, 1917, thousands of women from the Bradford Women's Humanity League took part in a march through the city in protest at the First World War, conscription and the slaughter of millions.

The march began at the Textile Hall in Westgate and made its way to the Textile School, now part of Bradford College.

The Bradford Women's Humanity League was highly active in the final years of the war holding numerous meetings and demonstrations.

The League was part of a national peace movement and mainly comprised working class women in the Bradford district.

Two women, Fanny Muir, of Highfield Road, Frizinghall and Esther Sandiforth, of Windhill, Shipley, were among the organisations leaders.

Little however is known about the League or its members.

Peter Nias, of the Bradford Peace Museum, said: "The history of the movement was not really written up and its activities weren't really publicised, so we have pretty limited information.

"This was an important time but many of the major issues being fought for were subsumed by the fog of war.

"Bradford was a hive of radicalisation and the League were very much part of the emancipation movement. Women over the age of 30 did not get the vote until two years later - which in itself gives significance to the 3,000 women who attended this march. It was ahead of its time.

"We are unveiling a plaque to commemorate these women on Sunday, September 9, at 2.30pm, the exact date and time of the demonstration.

"We are keen to speak to anyone who may remember the march or has heard parents or grandparents speak of their involvement or memories of it. Hopefully someone will have a connection to one of these women."

The plaque is part of the Peace Trail, a tour of the city focusing on areas of special significance in terms of social reform. Earlier this year a plaque was unveiled to Miriam Lord, an educational reformer who revolutionised nursery education.