大象传媒

Being a Conscientious Objector is more than avoiding conscription for military service for the duration of a war. Whether or not the government is engaged in fighting war, the first task of the CO is to help construct a viable, peaceful form of governance.

I was called up under the first Military Training Act. It was replaced by the National Service Act a year later. At that time, about 1940 I was deeply involved in the Peace movement and several of us at Westbourne Park Baptist Church, organised a public meeting in the hall which was part of our church. The place was packed, so much so that we made a profit from the collection. There were a number of high ranking police officers stood at the back of the hall and a squad of policemen waited outside, clearly expecting trouble. From then onward my friend John Adkins and I were watched. This successful meeting had irritated the powers that be, hence the watching.

C.A.Brock was a printer, later becoming the editor of 'Peace News' and and with the proceeds from the public meeting severel 1,000's of pamphlets were printed. Then someone noticed that the inprint was missing so these could not be distributed. In theory each copy would engender a fine of 拢15.00. So John and I decided to take them to a friend and burn them in his large garden. They were in a neat parcel and tied up, but on our way, John and I were stopped in the street by two plain clothes policemen and asked what was in the parcel. We told them that we were going to burn them because of the inprint error.

They then opened them and saw what was inside and we were both arrested for 'Causing a Breach of the Peace' The court was told we had been distributing these pamphlets and a passer-by had shouted " you should be bloody well shot" This was the breach of the peace but it was actually a complete lie! Whilst in custody, my home was raided and they took away a small printing press along with the various pamphlets relating to peace.

We were both sentenced to five weeks imprisonment. I in Wandsworth and John, who was six months younger, in Feltham Remand Centre. Whilst in prison I was not harshly treated. I asked the Governor if I could have a visitor. He astonished me by asking "Would that be Miss Hewitt?" This lady had been my Baptist Sunday School teacher, who inspired my passion for ustice and peace. Clearly the Governor had been given very full details of my history, hence his question. But as I had only five weeks, the visit was not granted.

After leaving prison I was working for an engineering firm and was set to work on a machine for filling cartridges. I refused because of my consciencious objection to war work and was sacked for this.

At the subsequent Tribunal this was brought up, among many other things. One question was so long and involved I asked if could it be rephrased for me to understand it. All this provoked much cat calling and merriment from the public gallery and the Chairman threatened to clear the court. In the end the questioner refered his question with, "I'll leave it to the Chairman" who didn't understand it either; so that was that.

In the end I was granted to stay in "Present work" [ civilian engineering] which was more or less what I wanted. Others were not so lucky; some were struck off the register of CO's or granted agricultural work and others were given" non combatant work in the services".

As a further rider to the Conscientious Objectors movement, I would like to add that probably the most insincere group are the 'political objectors' who seem to have no conscience. As a body I found them as lazy a bunch that ever trod shoe leather. I remonstrated with them and their reply was"minimum wage -minimum work". When Russia entered the war, they as to a man, joined the armed forces.

My life has lead me to pursue the causes of peace based on Mathew's Gospel, Chapter 6 the last two verses "Seek you first the Kingdom of God and his justice, and all else will come to you"

I was once asked how all true CO's seemed to know each other. I think it is just a meeting of minds that do not see war as inevitable.

I came across this moving poem to Chamberlain, in 'Peace News'

"Peace in our time" he says,
But does he mean his or mine?
For I am only 21
But he is 69.

Visit also Albert Rowland's website that explores the idea of Citizen Ownership, a Vision of Just Governance. www.citizensownership.org.uk

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.