FRANKEN, David

Family Name:

Franken

Given Names:

David

Gender:

Male

Birth-date:

21 July 1950

Death-date:

Unknown

Marital Status:

Unknown, probably single

Age/ Age Range:

Early 20s

Location:

QLD, Toowong

Occupation:

University Student

Primary Motivation:

Draft Resister-Pacifism Religious

Reason for Court Appearance:

Refusal to register for national service

Court Name and Location:

Unknown, Brisbane

Court Hearing Date:

26 May 1971

Court Outcome:

Convicted and fine $40 plus $12.50 costs

Military Event:

National Service and Vietnam War 1964-1972

Further Information:

David Franken was from Toowong in Queensland. He was a student at the University of Queensland. He refused to register for national service on the grounds of his Christian pacifism despite the risk of being incarcerated. He stated that “at the heart of Christian morality is the ethic of love; a love which must find practical towards all men. Such a universal love is the basis of Christian pacifism; one cannot witness to the love of God in proclaiming the teachings of Jesus, and at the same time engage in killing” David added that he was “opposed to all wars, whether offensive or defensive, as contrary to the teachings and example of Jesus”. He then turned to the issues of conscription and stated that: if the government then, has not the right to conscript anyone for military training and probably murder-it is immoral and irresponsible to support the National Service Act in any way”. He then turned to his specific non-compliance and said “to register is to support the National Service Act and see it continue! If you disagree with the Act…then refuse to register”.

Confirmatory Sources:

Peacemaker, May/ June 1970, p.2; March/ April 1971, p.11.