大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War Site by Helen Churchill for Three Counties Action, on behalf of Willfred Rendell, and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

When war was declared I was 22 years of age. I had worked for a city farm 鈥� Harrisons and Crossfield Ltd, for about 4 years. Since I had left school I had many friends, mostly of left wing inclination, some religious, some complete atheists, but all pacifists.

When war was declared I was called into the firms secretary who told me that if I wanted to continue working for the firm I would have to undertake not to air my views inside or outside the firm. I told him that inside the firm I would agree to keep quiet, but outside was no concern of his. In the circumstances I resigned rather than be sacked.

I registered as a conscientious objector when my age group was called up claiming complete exception on ethical grounds. At this time I had a Quaker girlfriend whose connections helped me considerably with work during the war.

I was called to a tribunal at Fulham Town Hall where I had to face a judge, trade union rep, members of the forces and the vice chancellor of Leeds university. In the circumstances they listened to all I had to say, and in the end told me that I was to be put onto the Armed Forces register for non-competent services only.

After a delay of about three months I was called up to attend a military barracks, but I can鈥檛 remember the exact location. I did not attend when I was supposed to attend, and after two or three reminders I was given an order to attend to submit myself for a medical examination for the armed forces. At the time I was doing social work in Birmingham and I ignored the order.

I was summoned to appear in court which I attended and I was given a sentence of three weeks during which I would be taken to a medical centre for a medical examination. I was imprisoned in Winson Green, Birmingham for the three weeks. After about 10 days I was taken to a medical centre where I was asked to strip for a medical examination. I refused and was taken back to the prison.

At the end of the three weeks I was released and backed up to the prison gates was a black Merriah and the police. I was read the summons ordering me to attend the Birmingham City Recorders court, and I was told what I was being charged with, to which I agreed.

I was then given six months prison sentence with hard labour. I was released with full remission after four months served in Winson Green and Wakefield.

Since I was in prison for a civil offence and more trustworthy than a lot of the other prisoners I was given the job of landing cleaner and I also got through a lot of books. The librarian was an IRA member who was given a very long sentence for trying to blow up Hammersmith Bridge.

I remember Christmas of the year 1942 (I think) when there was a Mayfair Playboy case 鈥� three members of a West End gang organised a lot of the contents of a so called Christmas party, where we were all herded into the chapel, where the boys had organised the concert, and they were very good too.
There was one particular verse I remember only too well, 鈥淚f you鈥檙e lagging keeps on dragging time marches on with Mr Morrisons (Home Secretary at the time) permission we may soon get extra remission, so save your sorrows for tomorrow, time marches on.鈥�

I was released in the March of 1942.

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