CHU, Benedict Bun Chee

Family Name:

Chu

Given Names:

Benedict Bun Chee

Gender:

Male

Birthdate:

1945

Death-date:

Unknown

Marital Status:

Unknown, probably single:

Age/ Age Range:

20 years old

Location:

NSW, Kingsgrove

Primary Motivation:

Conscientious Objector, Pacifism Religious

Reason for Court Appearance:

[a] Application for full exemption from military duties
[b] Appeal against decision of a lower court

Court Name and Location:

[a] Magistrates Court, Sydney
[b] District Court, Holden, Sydney

Court Hearing Date:

[a] 18 August 1965
[b] 24 February 1966

Court Outcome:

[a] Application for full exemption from military duties was not granted
[b] Granted full exemption from military duties

Military Event:

National Service and Vietnam War 1964-1972

Further Information:

Benedict Chu was a Roman Catholic from Kingsgrove a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales. He was previously a Chinese national and was born in Canton, China. He was naturalized two days before the introduction of National Service. He applied for full exemption from military duties on 19 February 1965. His court hearing was on 18 August 1965 and was heard my Magistrate Rodgers. The magistrate granted Benedict exemption from combatant duties only. Benedict appealed the decision, and his appeal was head by Judge Head of the District Court at Holden in Sydney. He was reported to state that he will fight against people of my race in South East Asia. This is completely against his will, principles and conscience. He described it as a revolting act. Important to the hearing was the influence of family and their experience rather than the teachings of a religious group. The families experience of war in China and Hong Kong during the 1930s and 1940s was raised, including the fact that one child died as a result of war. All of the family, including Benedict, had been deeply affected by war. The Judge was convinced that he was a conscientious objector under the National Service Act and upheld his appeal. Benedict was granted full exemption from all military duties.

Confirmatory Sources:

Peacemaker May/ June 1966, p.3.; Vivienne Abraham Documents, Benedict Chu File