conscientious objectors

• who were conscientious objectors in WW1?

  -the military service act said all unmarried men of fighting age must join the army

  -men who refused to fight became known as conscientious objectors

  -often for religious or political reasons, often pacifists, people who believe that war in all circumstances is immoral

  -people who refused to support the war in any war were called absolutists

  -the military service act did allow for people objecting to join the army and around 16,500 men made this request
• treatment on CO'S in WW1:

  -to request not to join the army you had to appear I front of a special court called a tribunal and they did not always give a fair hearing

  -many absolutists were imprisoned or put in solitary confinement

  -some CO'S were punished by being sent to the front line

  -if they refused to take orders there, they were sentenced by a military court

  -a small number were sentenced to death, but the prime minister changed it to ten years imprisonment

  -some CO's isolated by friends and neighbours

  -some relieved hate mail or white feathers as a symbol or cowardice
• changes if CO's during WW2:

  -in WW2 CO's offered alternative occupations such as farm work

  -prison seen as a last resort

  -Peace Pledge Union members put on trial but case dismissed by judge

  -public opinion still hostile to CO's

  -some lost their jobs