What happened to those who opposed the war?

Military Service Act introduced 1916 after volunteers reduced, Derby scheme failed, increased casualties and a continued stalemate in trench warfare.

Jan 1916 single men 18-41.

May 1916 married men 18-41 no longer select which service. Exceptions.

Exceptions where subjected to a tribunal, but this was not 100% consistent being influenced by the context of events.

Many CO's were not found except and were still sent to the front where they refused to follow orders, rather than being court marshalled and shot which would have implications for the military and government, they were given to the civil authorities and imprisoned.
Those who were except were ask to serve in NON-COMBATANT CORPS acting as stretcher bearers and ambulance drivers. Challenged by the NO CONSCRIPTION FELLOWSHIP led to those except working on public works like building roads.

ABSOLUTISTS who refused to serve in any form were imprisoned and faced harsh conditions and manual labour.

Clifford ALLEN and Fenner BROCKWAY were leading members of the NCF. Brockway had also been a member of the Independent Labour Party, which was split over the issue of conscription.




The majority of the public public were hostile to the Conscientious Objectors, CO's or Conchies seeing them as cowards, especially as friends and family members fought and died in the trenches. BUT not everyone was against them, they received sympathy from some for sticking to the principles despite poor treatment and hostility.

WHY did they seek exception or refuse to fight - a mixture of reasons in the mian they were pacifists, quakers, socialists or believed in free will.