Williamson’s animated news: London church completely destroyed by fire

The opening titles tell us that this is a church burned down by Suffragettes, causing £20,000 of damage. The scene then shifts to a church at New Cross that has been comprehensively destroyed by fire. We see the burnt out shell of the church, the wrecked roof, attempts to clean up the pulpit and burnt benches. Between 1911 and 1913 the government blocked two measures that would have given some women the vote. The Suffragettes responded with militant action including damaging property and even arson. Is this a straightforward news report of the facts or does it contain an expression of disapproval at the actions of the Suffragettes? The camera certainly lingers on the destruction caused.

Channel: UK National Archives Video Length: 28s Date Found: Wed, Apr 02 2008 6:16 PM Category: History Date Produced: View Count: 47