Description
Object description
British civilian absolutist conscientious objector imprisoned in GB and France, 1916-1919
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of period in GB, 1914-1916: memory of outbreak of war, 8/1914; attitude to Germans; attitude to volunteering and religious beliefs; story of being mistaken for spy; attitude to militarism and conscription; memory of German atrocity stories; story of praying for guidance on whether to enlist; question of Christianity and war; story of shooting accidents and attitude to killing; attitude to Germans; memory of German pacifist; story of delivering anti-war sermons and reaction, 1/1915; opinion of role of Methodist church in recruitment; story of joining Quaker No Conscription Fellowship; memory of pacifist Joseph Clark; story of appearing before tribunal in Doncaster, 2/1916.
REEL 2 Continues: description of court proceedings and nature of cross-examination; question of refusing to undertake war work; story of appeal tribunal and posted to non-combatant corps, 4/1916; story of arrest and internment at Pontefract Barracks, 5/1916; accommodation and sleeping arrangements in guard room; reason for requesting cell; memory of other conscientious objectors; question of refusing army pay; description of journey to Richmond Castle; story of punishment for refusing to peel potatoes; description of cell; question of refusing to drill; story of resistance by conscientious objectors in Richmond Castle; posted to France and description of journey from Southampton to France, 5/1916.
REEL 3 Continues: Aspects of period in France, 1916: description of camp in Boulogne; memory of field punishment barracks for conscientious objectors; question of refusing to unload stores; story of court martial, 6/1916; memory of sending coded message on Field Service post card; question of commuting of death sentence; description of move to field punishment barracks and military prison; nature of work and punishments; reaction of French civilians to conscientious objectors on departure for GB. Aspects of period in GB, 1916-1919: arrival in Winchester and reaction of local population to conscientious objectors; moved to Winchester Prison and issued with prison clothing; question of refusing to make coal sacks for Navy and punishment; opinion of prison chaplain; story of visit by parents and fiancée; moved to Wormwood Scrubs Prison, London, and description of tribunal; moved to work camp at Dyce,near Aberdeen, Scotland; relations with local civilians; memory of debates with fellow inmates.
REEL 4 Continues: description of work in camp; problem of damp conditions; memory of death of conscientious objector; relations with local Quaker community; story of absconding from camp and visiting home; re-arrested and sent to Armley Gaol, Leeds, 10/1916; description of cell; memory of meeting school friend; opinion of food; nature of work repairing mail bags; problem of cold; moved to Shrewsbury Prison; story of journey to Maidstone Prison, Kent; description of prison; question of absolutionist stance; daily routine and nature of work in laundry; story of visit by Methodist minister; role as organist for services; question of conscience; story of prisoner and Christian beliefs; memory of other prisoners and attitude to punishments; story of concealed note.
REEL 5 Continues: question of reduced rations due to war situation; story of going on hunger strike, 9/1917; description of work in tailor's shop; memory of fellow prisoners; story of argument with warder; attitude to Catholicism; opinion of peace settlement at Versailles, 1919; question of vegetarian diet; story of visit by brothers; sleeping arrangements and heating in cell; question of receiving news of war; memory of Armistice, 11/1918; story of release, 4/1919. Aspects of post-war life and employment: description of dreams about imprisonment; attitude of local civilians to conscientious objectors; problem of finding employment; effects of period of imprisonment.