BISHOP, George Anthony (Tony)

Family Name:

Bishop

Given Names:

George Anthony (Tony)

Gender:

Male

Birth-date:

21 April 1917.

Death-date:

Unknown.

Marital Status

Single.

Age/ Age Range:

23-24.

Location:

NSW, Paddington/VIC, Fitzroy

Occupation:

Clerk in Justice Department/Welfare Worker, Brotherhood of St. Laurence

Primary Motivation:

Conscientious Objector – Religious Pacifism

Reason for Court Appearance:

Conscientious Objector – Religious Pacifism

Court Name and Location:

[1] Police Court, Paddington, NSW
[2] Police Court, Paddington, NSW

Court Hearing Date:

[1] 5 August 1940.
[2] 24 June 1941.

Court Outcome:

[1] Ordered to undertake noncombatant duties
[2] Case withdrawn

Military Event:

World War II 1939-1945

Further Information:

Tony Bishop was a member of the Congregational Church, which taught the right of individual choice of its members. His application for complete exemption from either military enlistment or civilian work was rejected in Court on 5 August 1940 and he was ordered to perform noncombatant duties. Tony resigned after pressure from his employer, the Justice Department, which believed his stance was bringing the Department into disrepute. He became a Welfare worker with the Brotherhood of St Laurence. When summoned to enlist, Tony refused to take the oath. He was due to appear in court again on 24 June 1941, although this date appears to have changed several times, being delayed until July 1941. Finally, the case was dismissed after the Department for the Army advised they would not proceed.

Confirmatory Sources

Correspondence and press cuttings in Tony Bishop’s Papers, held by B. Oliver, including cuttings from Sydney Morning Herald of 24 July 1941 and Truth 27 July 1941.