Who in WW1

• From March 1916, the Military Service Act said all unmarried men of fighting age must join the army.
• Some men refused to fight and became known as conscientious objectors (COs) – often for religious reasons or for political reasons. Often they were pacifists – people who believe that war in all circumstances is immoral.
• People who refused to the support the war in any way were called absolutists, and refused to support the war even indirectly.
• Others refused to serve in the military but were prepared to do jobs like carrying stretchers or driving ambulances. These people were called alternativists.
• The Military Service Act did allow for people objecting to joining the army. Around 16500 men made this request.