[1] According to Sylvia Pankhurst, Josiah Gilbert got into financial distress for his refusal to “produce anything save honest, hand-made all-leather wares”.

In 1916, Clara Gilbert Cole, along with Rosa Hobhouse, leafletted across Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire on behalf of the anti-war effort, and were arrested and imprisoned for five months.

[4][6] She dedicated the book to "The Conscientious Objector", and used the preface to explain how she had come to be imprisoned:[6]To relate briefly the cause of our arrest, I will go back to Wednesday, May 10, 1916, when Rosa Hobhouse and myself set out from Knebworth, Herts., on a walking tour distributing literature for Peace.

We were trying to create an atmosphere of love and brotherhood between all nationalities, instead of this deplorable feeling of hatred which at present exists and is daily being fomented by the Press.

History has taught me that new ideas are always born in pain, so we are contented to suffer and be misunderstood in order that future generations might reap the benefit.

[4] She wrote and published widely, contributing to publications including Guy Aldred’s The Word, Freedom Press’ War Commentary, and Northern Voice.