Mary Grant (Marion Pollock) 1876-1957

Daughter of a clergyman. Mary worked as a Church of Scotland Missionary in Scotland and in India.

On her return she became a militant suffragette and WSPU member. She first came to public notice when she was imprisoned (using the alias Marion Pollock) following an attempt to disrupt a meeting with Lloyd George in Aberdeen Music hall. She revealed her true identity in a meeting in Dundee in Dec 1912. She maintained her high profile throughout 1913-14, writing to the press and being ejected from public meetings.

She worked as a VAD (voluntary Aid detachment) nurse during WW1 then joining the Women’s Police force. She was involved in civil defence work in WW2. She retained an active interest in politics and was an excellent platform speaker. She stood twice as a Liberal candidate for English constituencies in Parliamentary elections.