Huddersfield and WW1

[Guest mruk]

I seems fair to say that the mill town of Huddersfield in the West Riding of Yorkshire has always been a hot bed of political activism and dissent--at least for the past two hundred years anyway. This culture of resistance features heavily in both E.P. Thompson's seminal work on 'The Making of the English Working Class', and in the current demonstrations taking place against the government's proposed cutbacks in the NHS, as featured on this morning's BBC news.

What I didn't know until recently, however, and after reading David Raw's book on the 'Bradford Pals', is that many in Huddersfield were strongly opposed to the Great War, with a great deal of otherwise fit and able-bodied men, vehemently defending their right not to bear arms, and effectively resisting the pressure to do so. According to Raw, the stories of these men have also been collected and published in 'Comrades in Conscience' by Cyril Pearce, and though I have just placed an order for this book, it is going to take some time to source and deliver. Meantime, can any member give me the background to the events which were happening in Huddersfield at this time, and how any opposition was countered and met?

Kind regards,

Dave

[auchonvillerssomme]

I have just placed an order for this book, it is going to take some time to source and deliver.

why is it?

Plenty on ABEbooks and reasonable prices.

Mick

[Guest mruk]

Hello Mick,

I was told there was a 'sourcing fee', and that it would take some time to deliver. I'm not sure who ABE Books are, and what the difference between Amazon is. Is it too late to cancel?

Regards,

Dave

[auchonvillerssomme]

I swear by abebooks. have never had any problems at all...if anything its to good.

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/?cm_ven=ggl&...ooks%5Bexact%5D

Mick

[Guest mruk]

Cheers Mick,

I'll have a look at the abebooks website and see what they have to offer. More to the point, can you offer any help on Huddersfield, and the reluctance of some to enlist? It would help to have some background before the book arrives.

Regards,

Dave

[auchonvillerssomme]

Actually its probably the other way round.

Your question has prompted me side track slightly. I've been studying the Derby Scheme and Military Service Act and was quite suprised at the resistance. I'm looking for information on the No-Conscription Fellowship.

Mick

[Guest mruk]

I think I've come across something on the No-Conscription Fellowship in the YEP and Special Collections Catalogue at Leeds University, but it's not something I've really thought about until the last day or so. I'll have a look when I'm in both libraries this week, as well as looking at the more socialist-leaning newspapers and pamphlets that might be held. There was also something on 'shirking' and 'malingering', and while slightly different from been actively involved in the NCF, a number of reports cover some of the cases that appeared before the tribunal boards, and some of the requests made and reasons given for deferment and exemption. One of the appeals, from memory, was that made by a young Jewish lad, and his claim that his services were needed in the synagogue. I can't remember if he was a singer or a server or something, and I didn't follow the outcome, but I'll check to satisfy my curiosity when I'm in. The period was around August 1916, but if you have something specific that you'd like me to look for, other than that of the period between the Derby Scheme and Military Services Act, please let me know.

Regards,

Dave

[auchonvillerssomme]

Thanks for that I will have a think about what i need. there is an interesting piece published on the Working Class Movement Library site which I discovered last year while on a shop stewards course. it got me to thinking about the fact that The No Conscription Fellowship is linked with the working class movement and wondered what the opinion of the soldier on the ground, the majority of who were working class, thought of them.

Mick

[Tony Lund]

The report reproduced below appeared in the Huddersfield socialist newspaper - The Worker, on 3rd February 1917. It is also reproduced in Comrades of Conscience. I have a copy of the book with me now from the local lending library, but I have not read more than bits of it just yet.

New Mill near Holmfirth and maybe six miles from Huddersfield held their first peace meeting on Tuesday 4th August 1914, just a few hours before war was declared. They sent a telegram to the Prime Minister’s office urging British neutrality. Leading conscientious objector Arthur Gardiner was imprisoned in Dartmoor for a while during the war, he was made Mayor of Huddersfield at one point during the Second War. The Mr. Snowden referred to became the first Labour Party Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The Worker report:

SOLDIERS ATTACK A SOCIALIST MEETING

ANGRY SCENES AT HUDDERSFIELD

Complete discomfiture of the Invaders.

An attempt was made on Sunday night to break up Mr. Philip Snowden's meeting in the Victoria Hall, Huddersfield. The attempt was a miserable failure thanks to the vigorous actions of the stewards and others, and the "enemy" beat a retreat, leaving two wounded on the floor of the hall, and taking with them several minor casualties.

A Preliminary Skirmish

The hall was full and there were crowds unable to gain admittance. Mr. Snowden had been speaking for about half an hour when the stewards had an inkling of an impending attack. A group of about twenty men in uniform entered the arcade leading to the hall doors, and some of them tried to get in at the main entrance doors. Some of the stewards and a police officer resisted the attempt, and in the struggle five of the soldiers were thrown down the steps. The party then made for the side entrance, by which access is gained to the steps leading to the back of the platform. At the foot of the steps they were met by Mr. T H. Beaumont, who tried to persuade them to retire; but he got his shins barked for his trouble, and the crowd of soldiers, followed by a few lads and half-a-dozen women, rushed the steps. Mr. Brearley of Oakes was on the steps and tried to argue with the invaders, but he was rushed back to the top of the steps, where he and a soldier were jammed behind the door leading to the platform. This door was held for some time by Mr. Wilfrid Whiteley, but he was over-powered, and half-a-dozen men in the uniform of the Royal Flying Corps rushed on to the crowded platform.

Where's Snowden? Let's Rip Him!

Up to this point the meeting had been proceeding normally, and the great bulk of the audience was unaware of anything untoward happening. Immediately the invaders were sighted there was much excitement. The leader of the soldiers rushed forward flourishing his cane and shouting, "Where’s Snowden? Let’s get at him! Rip him!" Mrs. Snowden stepped in front of her husband who, by this time had been swayed to the back of the platform, and a burly male Socialist also stepped up for the same purpose. The people on the platform were all standing, and the stalwart stewards and a few active people well over military age proceeded to repel the invaders. Violent struggles ensued, in the course of which, Mrs. Hudson, wife of the treasurer of the General Union of Textile Workers, was hurled from the platform on to the reporters' table. Her mouth was injured by striking the back of the reporter's seat and she was very much shaken. Mr. S. Townend, another veteran who was doing his share to resist the onslaught, fell off the platform but was uninjured. A seat came crashing down on the spot just left by the reporters. Meanwhile a Scotchman who is engaged on "work of national importance" at a government work centre, closed with a violent warrior, and they fell to the floor. The soldier was now well under control, but several members of the audience, roused to fury by the outrage of the invasion, belaboured the soldier with walking sticks, and he was soon bleeding from the head and otherwise damaged. Another soldier who had got a short way along the floor of the hall was drastically dealt with, one woman breaking her umbrella over his head, and he and his comrade were removed helpless by the police. A third man in uniform came hurtling down the steps from the platform and was taken out by the scruff of the neck.

Over in Five Minutes.

Meanwhile, the remainder of the invaders were suffering punishment near the door leading to the platform and those who were not unceremoniously driven back beat a hasty retreat by the way they had come. Within five minutes the affray was over and the whole audience cheered vociferously, gratified by the demonstration of the fact that hooligans may not with impunity attempt to break up a Socialist meeting in Huddersfield. Among the trophies secured was a cap belonging to one member of the Flying Corps. The owner of the cap sent in a piteous plea that he might be allowed to have his cap "or he would get into trouble with his officer in the morning", and the soft-hearted captor allowed him to have the cap after taking note of the number.

It is worthy of note that, before the meeting commenced, a lieutenant and two civilians marched into the hall without contributing to the collection. Their attention was called to the omission, and the omission was remedied. Later one of the civilians was heard to ask, "What's the meeting about? What's the game?" When the first of the invaders appeared, a civilian shouted from near where the three suspects had been seated: "Come on boys, let 'em have it." An officer, believed to be the one referred to, when he saw the turn events were taking, removed his cap so as to be less conspicuous. A soldier sitting near the front of the hall turned to his neighbours and assured them that he "did not belong to that crowd." He added that he was a Huddersfield lad, and would not attempt such a thing.

Not the Work of Huddersfield Men

The audience, who had been standing watching the affray, and cheering the defenders, now gradually settled down. The Chairman (Councillor G. A. Boothroyd) said he had imagined that such a thing was almost impossible in Huddersfield. They in Huddersfield had always prided themselves upon their general tolerance in hearing, what everybody had to say and forming their own judgement. He feared that a good deal of the trouble was not the work of Huddersfield residents (Loud applause).

Mr. Snowden rose to resume his address and was received with prolonged cheering. He congratulated the meeting on having achieved a conclusive victory over Prussian militarism. (Loud applause). He had been referring, when the little interlude occurred, to the phrases about "crushing Prussian militarism". He had been about to say that he wanted to see militarism crushed not only in Germany, but in every country as well, and the unpleasant little incident which had just enlivened the proceedings showed that there was just as much need to crush militarism at home. (Loud and prolonged cheering).

Tony.

[auchonvillerssomme]

'half-a-dozen men in the uniform of the Royal Flying Corps rushed on to the crowded platform'.

I wonder where in the area in August 1914 they would have been based.

Mick

[Tony Lund]

It was 1917. I have not seen much of this newspaper so I could not yet give an opinion on it for accuracy.

The report reproduced below appeared in the Huddersfield socialist newspaper - The Worker, on 3rd February 1917.

Regarding the Book: I see there is a £15 price tag on the back and the ISBN number is ISBN 1-903427-06 -1

Tony.

[auchonvillerssomme]

the report was in 1917 but it says

'..held their first peace meeting on Tuesday 4th August 1914'

Mick

[Guest mruk]

Many Thanks for this Tony, and the time and trouble you have spent copying the extract from 'The Worker'. This was exactly the type of coverage I was hoping Pearce's book would provide, and it seems I'm not likely to be disappointed. Is 'The Worker' held at Huddersfield, or would I need to go to Bradford Library or WYAS?

Mick, I've just had a look at the Liddle Collection and there are a number of documents which mention the No Conscription Fellowship. There is nothing specific regarding any underlying tensions, or any personal accounts which relates to such, but much of this will be in the letters, diaries and papers themselves. There are also a number of miscellaneous papers and transcripts to look at too, which include odd issues of the 'NCF', 'The Tribunal' and 'The C.O.'s Hansard', along with an issue of 'The C.O. Clink Chronicle', 'Satire', and 'The National Peace Council Monthly Circular'. Much of the collection dates between 1912 and 1921, and 1971-72, and besides the Liddle Collection, there is also the Quaker Archive which may hold something for others interested in this area of study. I won't be in until Weds or Thurs [i'm still feeling groggy from a bad cold], but I'll certainly have a look at some of the magazines and journals before I move on to my own research.

Kind Regards,

Dave

[auchonvillerssomme]

thats fantastic Dave. and I agree thats an interesting and useful article Tony. I am have been half deciding on a subject for a union project and i might have decided now.

Mick

[Frank_East]

"Comrades in Conscience" by Cyril Pearce was available at the "In Flanders Fields" shop at Ypres price 23.5 Euro.

Whether the book can be ordered direct from there I do not know.The bookshop has a comprehensive list of Great War publications.

[Guest mruk]

Cheers Frank,

This is most useful for those who don't want to pay the price and sourcing fee at Amazon. I should shop around a bit, and I might have been better off going down to Huddersfield and making enquiries there. I need to go at some point to check some names on the war memorial. Incidently, does anyone know if there is a memorial to those who served with the Friends' Ambulance Units and the like, and those who protested but nethertheless went to war--not just in Huddersfield but elsewhere?

Kind Regards,

Dave

[Tony Lund]

I have found a serving soldiers response to another New Mill meeting that may be of interest. It originally came from the Holmfirth Express.

Sunday 14th February 1916.

At a public meeting which had been arranged by the Huddersfield Branch of the No Conscription Fellowship at the New Mill Labour Club on Sunday 14th February, which was attended by around two hundred people; Messrs Haywood, Armitage and Dawson proposed the following motion:

“That this meeting regards the Military Services Bill No. 2, as vicious in principle and opposed to the best national attributes, and therefore pledges itself to use every effort to secure its repeal.”

The platform argued that conscription was totally alien to British ideals and its result must be to impend the advance of civilisation. Mr Harold Armitage maintained that the purpose of the supporters of conscription was to destroy democracy and weaken the Trade Union Movement, adding that there was no proof that conscription would be abolished after the war. Mr A. Dawson said they were there to protest against their rights of conscience being sacrificed, and that they protested against taking part in a struggle about which they had not been consulted. The meeting concluded with an invitation to all present to join the No Conscription Fellowship.

Driver James McKenzie, a Holmfirth postman and reservist known locally as “Little Mac”,wrote to the Holmfirth Express with some comments on the Express report on the New Mill No Conscription Fellowship Meeting. The recalled reservist had this to say:

“Sir.- As it is the usual weekly custom for me to receive the Express out here, I wish to say a few words in reply to a report which appeared in your issue of February 19th.

“The report is in connection with the meeting held at New Mill under the auspices of the Huddersfield branch of the No-Conscription League. I might first of all say that I do not know the Gentleman who presided over the meeting in question, but when I come to think of the gentlemen who were supporting him on the platform I consider his remark to the interrupter who called out “Proof is necessary,” to be a rather nasty tap for these people who want consulting as to whether they ought to do their bit. Consulting indeed! What do they mean? They have enjoyed the protection and safety of the British Isles their whole life long, and now when it is necessary for every man to do the best that is in him, they have the audacity to say “they have not been consulted”.

“I wonder if it would be of any use to point out to these same gentlemen that once national borders are passed all the so-called tosh of internationalism – I used to believe in it – is worth nothing, not even the shriekings of these people who are letting men with dependents upon them come out here, and keep back the deadly menace away from our people at home.

“I fancy I hear some of them making use of the usual clap-trap, “I have nothing worth fighting for.” Well, as far as the good things of this life are concerned, I consider I have something to fight for. I might mention first of all that the security from the ravages and atrocities committed by the Germans in Belgium are things worth keeping away from England.

“ Self preservation being the first law of everyone, - especially those of military age, advising married men to be in Khaki while they themselves, being single, say they want consulting first – it is perfectly obvious that the Germans would not consult them in the event of us being worsted in the war, as to what particular ideas they held regarding the very serious condition of affairs under which we are living to-day. Let me say, here and now, that the ideas I used to hold before the war have been entirely destroyed with the sights and conditions of life during the nineteen months I have had in France; but that point will do until later.

“Now, Mr. Editor, to deal with the opening remarks of the chairman. He points out that “they denied the right to anyone to say what should be with their own lives.” I wonder what the result would be if Huddersfield had been Lille or any of the other cities of France, in the early parts of the war, when the Germans were driving everything and everybody, soldiers and civilians alike, before them. Would they have claimed the right to do as they wished, or would they have made their exit from the place as speedily as possible, perchance they would have been called upon to perform the natural duty of man, i.e. guard and protect the women and children?

“The chairman also said that “if a man thought that there was something to fight for, he had a right to go.” Now let us consider the actual conditions obtaining in England before the war. Not worth fighting for! Rot! How many of those who responded to the first call really want to fight? I should almost say, not one. But if these same men were not blessed with the keen prophetic instincts of some of the conscientious objectors, they at least possessed common intelligence to know that they were being called upon for some necessity or other. All honour to them who had to withstand the strongest brunt of the formidable strength of Germany when they were flushed with triumph. Surely these men possessed consciences as well as some of the chaps who object to wearing khaki, yet take upon themselves the authority of deciding that others should wear it.

“Now to touch a point in the resolution that was put forward at the meeting. They pledge themselves to use every effort to secure the repeal of the No. 2 Military Service Bill. Who is going to take any notice of them? Are they hoping to gain the support of anyone who have lost fathers, husbands or brothers during this campaign? Are they trusting to get the support of those who have been out here doing their bit? Perhaps they might get a sufficient number who possessed consciences that they didn't want sacrificing. Personally, I consider their case hopeless.

“Now, taking the case of conscription, I unhesitatingly say that the institution of conscription in England would not be a menace to democracy, but on the other hand, a deciding factor in helping democracy in its upward fight. I know the reply that will be given to me here, namely, that once a man has been in the Army he loses all initiative and becomes a sort of machine. Why, some of the most spirited workers in the school of thought our objectors belong to are ex-army men. No, once conscription is introduced in England I consider that it will have the affect of stirring the awakening intelligence of the British public to such an extent that they will assert themselves to enjoy some of the good things they are being prepared to defend. I will also say this, that vicious as some of these gentlemen consider military discipline, I consider that it would be a good thing if introduced in their own ranks. Fancy, in the life and death struggle we are waging at present, men saying, when given an order to storm a given point or to stand fast when being assaulted, “Our consciences are against this kind of thing, these men are not against us, it is only those in authority who are at war with each other.”

“I am sorry for intruding on so much of your space, but, after the various sights I have seen out here, it makes me sick of these people talking about what ought and what ought not to be done. In my opinion, as long as the world lasts, they will never do away with racial hatred, and I consider any ideas that may have been formed in the security of debating centres such as Huddersfield and district, are beside the mark, when comparing them with actual conditions in France and Belgium. Will ever the French or Belgiums forgive the inhumanity of Germany? Talk about the solidarity of workers, it is a myth.

“One more serious point in the meeting in question may be worth mentioning. Mr. Harold Armitage said that thousands of men had enlisted to strike a blow at Prussian Militarism. Surely he will admit that these thousands have not been sufficient to crush this curse. Afterwards, he says, in reply to an interrupter, “you have got to prove that a few thousand men are going to make the difference between failure and victory in this war.” Does he mean the thousands who are having to be made, or if not, what does he mean? I take it that this is his meaning. Even if this is not his point, does he not think that if Prussian Militarism is such a horrible thing it is quite time he came up and did his bit to smash it? I have a fine fellow in my section and he is fifty-two years of age. I glory in such spirit and am pleased to think that no amount of croaking will ever kill it.

Sincerely yours,

JAMES MACKENZIE.

Somewhere in France.

March 1916.

P.S.- I hope the gentleman will excuse me saying that I have no desire to reply to anything of a political nature.”

In March 1916 another meeting of the No Conscription Fellowship was held at New Mill, and this time one of the speakers was Huddersfield’s Arthur Gardiner, a textile dyer and well known trade unionist and socialist. On the platform Mr. Haywood compared conscription to slavery and said that they would resist it regardless of the consequences. Arthur Gardiner then spoke of the determination of the leaders of the Huddersfield Branch of the No Conscription Fellowship to hold out against the attempts of the Military Tribunals to force conscientious objectors into the new Non Combatant Corps. Saying that the Corps was just as much a part of the military system as the traditional units, he reasserted his determination to hold out against any form of military service, describing those who did so as heros and martyrs for peace. Arthur Gardiner and several members of the Huddersfield No Conscription Fellowship were eventually imprisoned for refusing all forms of military service.

Tony.

[Tony Lund]

Huddersfield. I need to go at some point to check some names on the war memorial.

Dave

The main Huddersfield War Memorial at Greenhead Park does not have any names on it, although there are bays clearly designed for that purpose. Also the memorial is now surrounded by iron railings, the same as Dewsbury’s memorial. You need good eyes to read the Dewsbury War Memorial these days. Both towns are part of Kirklees so they have the same council.

There is a collection of folders in the Local History Reference Library at Huddersfield which contains the War Memorial Survey taken several years ago. It lists the names given on most of the village and church memorials from around both towns. Who are you interested in and do you know which district of the town they are likely to be recorded in?

The same library has the Worker.

Tony.

[Guest mruk]

Many Thanks for this Tony,

For both the information you've supplied on 'The Worker' and 'Holmfirth Express', and that of the Huddersfield and Dewsbury Memorials. I have two lads from each town who died with the 10th West Yorks between 1914 and 1916, and apart from their place of birth and enlistment, I don't really have anymore info regarding the parish or district of each.

Dewsbury

Dillon John [E. Leeds]; Jackson, Wilfred [E. Bradford]

Huddersfield

Atkinson, Herbert [E. Huddersfield]; Green, Norris [E. Huddersfield]

I'm also visiting Leeds University tomorrow to look at what the Liddle Collection hold on the 'NCF' in general terms. I have a list of about ten files that I'd like to look at, time permitting, but if there is anything you would like me to look at while I'm there, then I'll be happy to do so. Although it seems you have a great resource in the 'Holmfirth Express'.

Kind Regards,

Dave

[Guest mruk]

Hi Tony,

I thought I'd include the information I have on the four men.

Dillon, John Pte. No. 11621 [K.I.A.] 15-2-1916 Age: 31 Born: Dewsbury, Yorks. Enlisted: Leeds. Cemetery-Memorial: Ypres [Menin Gate] Cemetery Panel 21 [Eldest son of Albert and Mary Callaghan, 24 Jackson Lane, Morley, Leeds] [served with “A” Coy]

Jackson, Wilfred Pte. No. 19785 [K.I.A.] 1-7-1916 Age: Unknown Born: Dewsbury, Yorks Enlisted: Bradford, Yorks. Cemetery-Memorial: Fricourt New Military Cemetery D. 2.

Atkinson, Herbert. Pte. [13/10th Bttn] No. 21876 [Died of Wounds] 2-11-1916 Age: Unknown. Born: Huddersfield. Enlisted: Huddersfield. Cemetery-Memorial: Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte. II. F. 40.

Green, Norris Pte. No. 19939 [K.I.A.] 1-7-1916 Age: 25 Born: Huddersfield Enlisted: Huddersfield, Yorks. Cemetery-Memorial: Fricourt New Military Cemetery D. 2. [son of Harry Hirst Green and Martha Ann Green, 34 Church St., Moldgreen, Huddersfield]

I need to visit Huddersfield in the near future, and I'd like to compile a more fuller biography of each man--if and where found.

Cheers,

Dave

[Tony Lund]

Herbert Atkinson, from Sunny Bank, Hinchliffe Mill, was a member of the congregation of Hinchliffe Mill Wesleyan Church, and lived close by. A Private (21876), 10th Battalion, Prince of Wales’s Own West Yorkshire Regiment, 50th Infantry Brigade, 17th Division. The eldest son of Mr and Mrs Arthur Atkinson, before the war he was a millhand at Whiteley and Green, Hinchliffe Mill Mill. He enlisted at Huddersfield around June 1915 and went to the front four months before he died. He died of wounds on Thursday 2nd November 1916, he was twenty-one years old. His cousin Albert Atkinson had died almost a year earlier. At the time of Herbert’s death his battalion was at Le Transloy, on the Somme.

Holme, Holmfirth and New Mill War Memorial: Holme and Holmebridge section.

The Hinchliffe Mill Wesleyan Church Memorial.

The Holmebridge War Memorial.

GROVE TOWN CEMETERY, MEAULTE Somme, France II. F. 40.

The reference to the Hinchliffe Mill mill is correct, it is the mill at the small village of Hinchliffe Mill. I will dig out the newspaper report on this man, I have a copy somewhere in a large pile of copies. Nothing on Norris Green but by coincidence my youngest sister lives on Church Street, Moldgreen. There are no memorials in that area, so he may not be named on any.

Tony.

[Guest mruk]

This is most useful Tony,

I will add the information to my 'Roll', with due acknowledgement, of course. I'm touched by your kindness and generosity, and the help you've given.

Many Thanks and Kind Regards,

Dave

[BeppoSapone]

Mick, I've just had a look at the Liddle Collection and there are a number of documents which mention the No Conscription Fellowship. There is nothing specific regarding any underlying tensions, or any personal accounts which relates to such, but much of this will be in the letters, diaries and papers themselves. There are also a number of miscellaneous papers and transcripts to look at too, which include odd issues of the 'NCF', 'The Tribunal' and 'The C.O.'s Hansard', along with an issue of 'The C.O. Clink Chronicle', 'Satire', and 'The National Peace Council Monthly Circular'. Much of the collection dates between 1912 and 1921, and 1971-72, and besides the Liddle Collection, there is also the Quaker Archive which may hold something for others interested in this area of study. I won't be in until Weds or Thurs [i'm still feeling groggy from a bad cold], but I'll certainly have a look at some of the magazines and journals before I move on to my own research.

Kind Regards,

Dave

I believe that the vast majority of WW1 Conscientious Objectors were members of the N-CF. Any books about COs will give some detail. Broadly speaking, it was members of the Independent Labour Party who provided the lead for the N-CF. Find an ILP branch and you will find N-CF members/COs. "The Tribunal" was the organ of the N-CF and, IIRC, there is a complete run of this journal at Falmer, Sussex. I can't quite remember if we are talking the University of Sussex or the University of Brighton, both Uni's have a library at Falmer.

There was more opposition to WW1 than we now suppose. However, it was always a minority, except in certain places at certain times. The most well known anti-war protest was found on Clydeside. There was always some opposition from some sections of organised labour and certain political and religious bodies. Servicemen were known for "smashing up" anti war meetings, in particular wounded soldiers ("Blue Boys") and New Zealanders. The N-CF still tried to interact with soldiers eg London branches of the N-CF leafleted

members of the AIF on leave in England, esp around Horseferry Road.This was to try and persuade the Australian Army to vote against conscription being introduced in Australia.

Someone called Ken Weller has written about anti-war strands of thought in WW1 in north London. IIRC he calls it the "Rebel Milieu". Ken's book: " Don't Be A Soldier! The Radical Anti-War Movement In North London 1914-1918" is readily available from Abesbooks.

If you mean the Archive held by the Quaker Library in the Euston Road, London, you need to view the papers of the "Visitation of Prisoners Committee". Every Conscientious Objector has a "sheet" and information such as home address, when arrested, where being held and dates of C/M are given.

Lastly, do a search of this forum using the word "Kippax". Some time ago I posted a pic of 4 WW1 COs taken at a work camp. This was from the effects of one of the four, who came from Croydon. One of the others was a Willie Kippax from Huddersfield.

[Guest mruk]

Thanks for this Beppo,

Your mention of the Clydeside Shipyards is a reminder that not everything was so black-and-white, and that rather than agreement and consensus, there was often dispute and conflict. I often find it strange that my Grandfather was both union member and soldier, yet worked during the General Strike, but took part in the pitched-battles against Oswald Mosely and the BUF when they came to Leeds--or so my Father tells me.

There is also a Quaker Collection held in Special Collections at Leeds University, and this is the one I'll be looking at today for a general overview and feeling of the war. I'd also like to look at something on punishment and prison experiences, and at some point, I would like to look further into the role of those who were attached to the sanitary trains and field ambulances. For now, though, it's just getting a feel for what the 'NCF' actually stood for and meant: which was many things to different people, I suspect.

Kind Regards,

Dave

[BeppoSapone]

There is also a Quaker Collection held in Special Collections at Leeds University, and this is the one I'll be looking at today for a general overview and feeling of the war. I'd also like to look at something on punishment and prison experiences, and at some point, I would like to look further into the role of those who were attached to the sanitary trains and field ambulances. For now, though, it's just getting a feel for what the 'NCF' actually stood for and meant: which was many things to different people, I suspect.

Kind Regards,

Dave

Dave

Leaving aside Dr John Rae's well known "Conscience and Politics" and David Boulton's "Objection Overruled", you could do worse than to start with the two books by T Corder Catchpool: "On Two Fronts: Letters of a Conscientious Objector" and "Letters of a Prisoner for Conscience Sake".

The Quaker Corder Catchpool was in France with the Friends Ambulance Unit when conscription was introduced, IIRC he had been "out" since 1914. He so stongly opposed compulsion that he returned to the UK to become a CO, and go to prison. He is known to have worn the ribbon on the "Mons Star" at one of his Courts Martial. A search of this forum will provde fuller detail.