Lilla Brockway

Lilla Brockway (née Harvey-Smith; 8 March 1889 – 1974) was a British suffragist, socialist, and pacifist. It was a suggestion of Lilla's which initiated the No-Conscription Fellowship. As such, it has been written that Lilla Brockway "may truly be regarded as the Mother of the British C.O. [ conscientious objectors'] movement".

Early life Lilla Harvey-Smith was born in Hackney, London, the daughter of Lizzie Harrison (1856-1909) and the Revd. William Harvey-Smith (1851-1923). They had four daughters. Fenner Brockway's letter to the Labour Leader in November 1914 elicited 300 replies, leading to the formation of the No-Conscription Fellowship.

Lilla initially undertook the administration, but as the organisation grew and branches were established across the country (61 by the following November) it was moved onto a more formal footing. In early 1915, a London office was established, run by Clifford Allen.

Fenner Brockway's opposition to military conscription saw him imprisoned four times during the war, for a total of 28 months. With Lilla now deaf, Fenner was reportedly frustrated by having to raise his voice to make her hear. He also had several affairs. She was granted a divorce in 1945 on grounds of adultery.

Lilla Brockway died in 1974 in Maidstone, Kent.