| PANKHURST | First coming down close to bottom, smack proved painful for political activist, d. '28 (9) |
| DIRECTORS | 19-A, 15-D, 28-D, and 50-D, among others |
| OWN | Have cut grass close to bottom shed (3) |
| HARDY | Only just missing line for writer, d. '28 (5) |
| OUCH | Head shaved in bed, that's proved painful! (4) |
| ACHED | At length it proved painful (5) |
| SEATBELT | Something that protects you from bottom-smack |
| HEROIN | Matilda is one avoiding bottom smack |
| NEVER | Gall bladder's close to bottom? Not at all! (5) |
| BEDSOCKS | Bottom smacks warming couple at night? (3,5) |
| HAILSTONE | Waves down close to front, a certain sign of cold weather |
| DROPPEDBY | Having been set down close to, called on (7,2) |
| CONTENDER | Sting painful for one competing (9) |
| SONTAG | American literary figure and political activist, d. 2004 - tangos (anag) (6) |
| ROBESON | Paul ___ , US bass singer and outspoken political activist, d. 1976 (7) |
| SHAW | Irish playwright and political activist, d. 1950 (4) |
| NADINE | ___ Gordimer, South African writer and political activist, d. 2014 (6) |
| PARTISAN | Guerrilla group cut down close to Yemeni hospital (8) |
| LANDSEND | Touches down close to part of Cornwall (5,3) |
| VARY | Change for Victor first coming in contact with mad Ray (4) |
