the first marchers set off on 18 june, allowing six weeks to reach london from carlisle and newcastle. each contingent was preceded by banners declaring the march to be law-abiding and non-militant, clarifying the stance of the nuwss compared to the militancy of the wspu. women of all classes joined the march, including lady rochdale (wife of george kemp, 1st baron rochdale), who marched from carlisle to london..