Family Name:
Harris
Given Names:
Percy M
Gender:
Male
Birth-date:
1905
Death-date:
Unknown
Marital Status
Single
Age/ Age Range:
37-39
Location:
WA, Maylands
Occupation:
Cable Operator
Primary Motivation:
Conscientious Objector- Religious Pacifism
Reason for Court Appearance:
[1] Application for exemption from military duties as a conscientious objector
[2] Appeal of court decision
Court Name and Location:
[1] Court of Petty Sessions, Perth, WA
[2] Supreme Court, Perth, WA,
Court Hearing Date:
[1] 1 April 1942
[2] 22 April 1942.
Court Outcome:
[1] Ordered to perform noncombatant duties
[2] Appeal upheld. Ordered to perform civilian work under civil control.
Military Event:
World War II 1939-1945
Further Information:
Percy Harris moved to WA from Victoria, where he had belonged to the Victorian branch of the Australian Peace Pledge Union and the Christian Pacifist Movement. He also signed the Protest against the National Register. While in Perth, he was the WA correspondent for The Peacemaker. Harris appealed after his application for conditional exemption was rejected and he was ordered to perform noncombatant duties. His appeal was upheld, and he was directed to perform civil work in a forestry camp at Manjimup. Harris was the last to be released from Manpower Services, spending some months in 1943-44 as a fire lookout in the South-West. This work involved climbing to a platform at the top of a tall tree and keeping watch for any sign of smoke.
Confirmatory Sources:
Attorney-General’s Department, NAA: A6122/43, 1312, Item ID 21519288. Title: Federal Pacifist Council – Part 1; Supreme Court of Western Australia Consignment No. 3620, box 1, File 1942/01.
THE AUSTRALIAN PEACE HONOUR ROLL 