Conscientious Objector-James Scott Duckers

[MichaelBully]

When I was at the NA recently found a file HO 45/311118 about a Conscientious Objector -James Scott Duckers.

Apparently he was the chairman of an organisation called 'Stop the War Committee', and a solicitor who supported COs, only to be called up himself but refused to fight.

Anyone heard of this chap or the 'Stop the War Committee' ?

Found little about him on line, but know that his case was covered in 'The Daily Express ' of 28th April 1916.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/searchresults.asp?SearchInit=0&txtsearchterm=James+Scott+Duckers&txtfirstdate=&txtlastdate=&txtrestriction=HO&hdnsorttype=Reference&image1.x=27&image1.y=14

Only had time to quickly glance through file and will try to study this file in more detail when I am next at the NA

Regards

Michael Bully

[IPT]

His book may be read here;

http://www.readanybook.com/online/70372_0

[MichaelBully]

That's fabulous, thanks for your help. Michael Bully

His book may be read here;

http://www.readanybo.../online/70372_0

[Magnumbellum]

He was also active in the No-Conscription Fellowship..

[MichaelBully]

Interesting to know MB. I am going to try to check local papers around 28th April 1916 to see if there is any coverage of him in line with The Daily Express feature.

I wonder who was involved with the 'Stop The War Committee' - have never heard of them before .

Regards

Michael Bully

He was also active in the No-Conscription Fellowship..

[IPT]

A quick glance at the British Newspaper Archive shows there was a lot of coverage of "Rifleman Scott Duckers" as some of them liked to refer to him

http://www.britishne...h=scott duckers

(You'd have to but credits to view the actual articles but you get the idea).

[MichaelBully]

That's great, Getting quite curious to know more about Duckers and why his case is not so well known ,even though the newspapers of the time featured him. Regards.

A quick glance at the British Newspaper Archive shows there was a lot of coverage of "Rifleman Scott Duckers" as some of them liked to refer to him

http://www.britishne...h=scott duckers

(You'd have to but credits to view the actual articles but you get the idea).

[MichaelBully]

From reading 'Handed Over' , interesting to note that Duckers decided not to resist being called up by applying to a Military Service Tribunal to be considered a Conscientious Objector.

Would like to learn more about Scott Duckers' life following his release from prison.

[bluekingell]

To make it more interesting, Here is a topic on his sister

 

 

[MichaelBully]

Thanks - most welcome. I had forgotten about this thread ! Since first posting, have got hold of Keith Robbins' 'The Abolition of War- The Peace Movement in Britain 1914- 1919' from 1976:. Duckers and the 'Stop The War Committee' are not referenced in the index.

Regards

Michael Bully

[MBrockway]

When I was at the NA recently found a file HO 45/311118 about a Conscientious Objector -James Scott Duckers.

Michael Bully

The correct TNA reference for this file is HO 45/10808/311118

[MichaelBully]

Thanks for checking & for correcting. Regards

The correct TNA reference for this file is HO 45/10808/311118