Bryan, Alexander (Oral history)

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Description

Object description

British civilian student and member of Peace Pledge Union at University of Sheffield, GB, 1938-1941; conscientious objector inmate of Strangeways Prison, Manchester, GB, 3/1941-4/1941; conscientious objector in GB, 4/1941-4/1942; inmate in Wandsworth and Wormwood Scrubs Prisons, London, GB, 4/1942-6/1942; conscientious objector in GB, 6/1942-7/1945; relief worker with Friends' Relief Service in GB and Germany, 7/1945-8/1947

Content description

REEL 1 Background in York, GB, 1920-1938: family; influences on his later pacifist views including father's First World War experiences; education. Recollections of period as student with University of Sheffield, GB, 1938-1941: rejection of Methodism; development of pacifist views; joining Peace Pledge Union; reasons for refusing gas mask and attitude towards Air Raid Precautions; nature of pacifist convictions prior to outbreak of Second World War; reaction of students towards military conscription, 1939; student life during early months of Second World War; attending Quaker Society of Friends meetings; solidification of his pacifist views; student union ban on Peace Pledge Union meetings. REEL 2 Continues: change in fellow students' attitude towards him; advice received about tribunal from academic; question of uncertain nature of his potential treatment as conscientious objector; registering as conscientious objector, 9/3/1940; attending tribunal in Leeds including effects of letter written by members of Quaker Society of Friends; tribunal's refusal of exemption from military service; attending appellate tribunal and receiving conditional exemption for non-combatant duties in London, 10/1940; organisation of conscientious objectors in Sheffield; attitude of university warden towards his stance. REEL 3 Continues: interview with vice chancellor and decision to stay at university; sympathetic attitude of dean; relief work after German Air Force raids on Sheffield, 12/12/1940-15/12/1940; involvement in voluntary farm work; exploitation of conscientious objectors by Quaker farmer; return to university; court summons and refusing medical; his professor's sympathetic attitude. Recollections of period as inmate in Strangeways Prison, Manchester, GB, 3/1941-4/1941: arrest 7/3/1941; overnight imprisonment and sentencing at Sheffield Magistrates Court; removal to prison; psychological state prior to arrest; support received from family and friends; receiving degree in 1946. REEL 4 Continues: arrival, processing and reception at prison; routine and work; work as landing cleaner; discipline and boredom of routine; obtaining extra rations; writing in secret; reaction to being locked in cell during German Air Force raids; lack of visits and contact with other inmates; discharge procedure; decision not to return to university; effects of prison experience. Recollections of period as alternativist religious conscientious objector in GB, 4/1941-4/1942: character of Spicelands Training Camp run by Quaker Society of Friends. REEL 5 Continues: adjusting to life at Spicelands Training Camp; realisation of possible future imprisonment; gardening work for Quaker; obtaining work at Standish House Sanatorium, 6/1941; reaction to notice to attend medical for national service; conditions for staff and attitude to working at Standish House Sanatorium; work with disabled ex-servicemen at St David's Home in Ealing; attitude towards prospect of compulsory firewatching; decision to refuse to register for civil defence work; realisation of implications of stance; refusal to register for civil defence duties, 14/9/1941; receiving letters from authorities relating registering for civil defence duties. REEL 6 Continues: nature of work at St David's Home; receiving summons, 8/4/1942; making preparations for appeal tribunal. Aspects of period as inmate in Wandsworth and Wormwood Scrubs Prisons, London, GB, 4/1942-6/1942: initial imprisonment in Wandsworth Prison; conditions and atmosphere; visit by Society of Friends; conscientious objector population in Wormwood Scrubs; inactivity of prison life; reading; question of discrimination against conscientious objector by City of York Council; reasons for excepting conditional exemption. Aspects of period as conscientious objector in GB, 6/1942-7/1945: return to obtaining employment in Church Army hostel for delinquent boys, 10/1942; attitude towards work. REEL 7 Continues: desire not to contribute to war effort through income tax; obtaining work as assistant warden at approved school in Camberwell, London, 7/1943; attitude towards discipline and teaching methods; obtaining work as welfare officer at Wallingford, 1/1945; interest in journalism and teaching. Aspects of period as relief worker with Friends' Relief Service in GB and Germany, 7/1945-8/1947: start of training, 10/1945; receiving war degree from University of Sheffield; modifying army uniforms and equipment; move to Germany, 4/1946; nature of relief work in Solingen, Germany, 1946. REEL 8 Continues: reasons for cutting back in number of relief workers in Germany; opinion that relief work was important to reconciliation; return to GB, 8/1947; attitude of military towards relief workers. Reflections on period as conscientious objector in GB, 1939-1945: attitude towards patriotism and country; effects on experience and imprisonment; question of struggle of individual against state; personal interests; attitude towards imprisoned Jehovah's Witnesses; feeling part of an anti-war movement in Wormwood Scrubs Prison; role of established church in peace and war; attitude towards joining organisation; pessimistic attitude towards world situation, 1980.

Object Details

Category: Sound
Related period: 1945-1989 (production), 1945-1989 (content), Second World War (association)
Creator: IWM (Production company)
Smith, Lyn E (Recorder)
Bryan, Alexander (Interviewee/Speaker)
Production date: 1980-09-05
Dimensions: whole: Duration 230, Number Of Items 8
Catalogue number: 4746

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Bryan, Alexander (Oral history)

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