Macarthur family grave
The Labour Woman, political journal
Page from The Labour Woman
Tribute by Dr. Marion Phillips
Tribute by Beatrice Webb
Tribute by Arthur Henderson
Letter from Marchioness of Crewe 1920 page 1
Letter from Marchioness of Crewe 1920 page 2
Tribute by Marchionness of Crewe
William Morris's song
Mary had been suffering from cancer for several months. She had undergone two unsuccessful operations. She died on the 1st January 1921, at her home in Woodstock Road, Golders Green, London. In her will she left effects worth £7264. In her last letter to the National Federation of Women Workers Mary wrote,
"I cannot think of a greater happiness for my own child than that she should, like me, be enabled to spend herself fully and freely in the cause of an ideal in which she believes."
We have reproduced here a letter from the Marchioness of Crewe to Mary's sister, Jean, written in October 1920. The content of the letter suggests that Mary had not been told of the seriousness of her condition at that time. Even when she knew, it seems she still had her sense of humour. The Executive of the Labour Party had sent her some flowers. She was grateful for them, but added with a smile, "It is what they usually wait to do till one is dead." (The Ayrshire Post, 1st April 1921)
Mary's funeral was held on 4th January at Golders Green crematorium. It was a huge gathering, attended by Mary's friends and relatives, and representatives of the many organisations with which she had been involved. The service closed with the song, "The March of the Workers" by William Morris. The words have been included here for you to read.
Mary had kept her husband's ashes at her home, and had asked that, at her death, his ashes and hers should be taken to a final resting place in her native town of Ayr, a wish that was carried out by her sister.
Mary died at the height of her powers, and many splendid tributes were paid to her work. Her obituary called her "the champion of the workers", and there were those who said she "did more for the organisation of working women than any other woman in the country". A T.U.C. report of the same year said of Mary, she "always worked on the principle of co-ordinating the activities of men and women, while never losing sight of the special needs of women. She has done more than any other woman to secure the wholehearted support of the men Trade Unionists in the effort to organise the toilers in low-paid industries. As a strike leader and an organiser she was unsurpassed; but she also had that rare gift of statesmanship which could initiate a policy and direct legislation, and her work in this connection covered the whole range of our industrial legislation....... Great as a leader, great as a friend, she leaves a gap which none can fill. Her life will be an inspiration to this Congress and to the whole movement."
Other tributes are included here for you to read. The Marchioness of Crewe's tribute appeared in the Ayrshire Post. She had met and worked with Mary on the Central Committee of Women's Training and Employment during the First World War. Arthur Henderson M.P. and chief whip of the Labour Party at the time, was a close family friend. Beatrice Webb was a socialist, who was also deeply involved in efforts to improve the conditions of the working classes. Dr. Marion Phillips was the editor of "The Labour Woman", a political monthly journal for working women.
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| Updated: | Mon 25 Jun 2007 - 0 |
| Interpretation written by | Barbara Harris |
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