Commemoration

On the railing at Epsom racecourse is this plaque in memory of Emily Davison who died after a collision with the King's horse on Derby a Day, 8 June 1913. As we have recently been commemorating the campaign of the suffragettes and their success 100 years ago, it seems that Emily was not forgotten, with flowers having been placed here in her memory.
Emily Wilding Davison was a militant fighter in the Women's Social and Political Union, (known as the Suffragettes) carrying out daring actions for the cause. She was arrested on 9 occasions and went on hunger strike 7 times. It is not known whether she intended to kill herself by her action at the Derby, some believe she was trying to attach a banner to the horse. 50,000 people lined the route of her funeral procession.