Message codes

Codes used by Women’s Social and Political Union for secret messages. These were used as evidence in the conspiracy trials against the WSPU leaders. (Catalogue ref: DPP 1/23 f205)

Transcript

Ex. 134

CODE

Wool                           Telegram

Woolly                        Wire back.

Woollen                     I am telegraphing

Mix                              A letter

Mixture                       Letter follows, do nothing until you hear again.

Woollen-mixture       I am telegraphing, a letter follows, do nothing till you hear again.

Hare                           Can you go at once?

Tortoise                      Don’t do it, wait.

Fox                             Are you prepared for arrest?

Foxes                         How many are prepared for arrest?

Goose                         Don’t get arrested.

Duck                           Don’t get arrested unless success depends upon it.

Bird                             At once, immediately.

Silk                             Will you go to protest meeting?

Cotton                         Meet.

With                            at

Without                      Wait at, or, wait for

 

Examples

Silk thistle almonds }
Pens review duck Woolly }                     
E.Kew. }

Will you go to protest at Asquith’s Public Meeting to-morrow evening but don’t get arrested unless success depends upon it. Wire back to Ch. Pankhurst, Clements Inn.

Mix with coffee …… Letter at Local Post Office.

 

CODE FOR CABINET

Thistle             Asquith

Lilly                 Birrell

Dock               Burns

Daisy              Buxton

Firs                 Carrington

Holly               Churchill

Elm                 Crewe

Nettles            Lloyd George

Thorns           Gladstone

Ash                 Gray

Oak                 Haldane

Birch               Loreburn

Roses             McKenna

Beech             Morley

Pansy             Runciman

Violets            Samuel

Trees              Cabinet Ministers.

CODE for W.S.P.U.

A                     Drummond

B                     Kenney

C                     Hambling

D                     Mrs Lawrence

E                     C. Pankhurst

F                      Mrs Pankhurst

G                     Organisers

H                     Men

I                       Women

CODE OF PLACES

Kew                Clements Inn

Potters Bar    House of Commons

Henley           Downing Street

Balham          Whitehall

Oxshott          St James’ Hall

Purley             Queen’s Hall

Gatwick          Caxton Hall

North              63 Chancery Lane, W.C.

South             147 Harley Street

CODES FOR STATIONS IN LONDON

Gold                Cannon Street

Silver              Charing Cross

Lead               Euston

Iron                 Fenchurch Street

Brass              Great Central

Steel               Great Northern

Tin                  Holborn Viaduct

Zinc                Liverpool Street

Pewter            London Bridge

Metal              Paddington

Ore                  Victoria

Platinum        Waterloo

Oil                   Departs

Vinegar          Arrives, or arriving

Paper             This morning, or morning

Book               This afternoon or afternoon

Review           This evening or evening

Pens               To-morrow

Ink                   To-day (sometime)

Stamp             Come

CODE OF KIND OF MEETINGS

Almonds        Public Meeting

Raisins          Dinners

Nuts                “At Homes”

Oranges         Exhibitions (openings, laying stones etc.)

Apples            Lectures

Pears              Out of doors

Grapes           Free

Lemons          Pay

Coffee             Local P.O.

Tea                 Tickets.

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