COLEMAN, Ronald Leslie

Family Name:

Coleman

Given Names:

Ronald Leslie

Gender:

Male

Age/ Age Range:

21 years old

Location:

ACT, Deakin

Occupation:

Journalist

Primary Motivation:

Conscientious Objector

Reason for Court Appearance:

[a] Application for full exemption from military duties
[b] Application (second) for full exemption from military duties

Court Name and Location:

[a] Magistrates Court, Sydney
[b] Canberra Court of Petty Sessions, ACT

Court Hearing Date:

[a] 5 October 1967
[b] 13 May 1969

Court Outcome:

[a] Application for full exemption from military duties was not granted because the applicant objected to a particular war
[b] Granted full exemption from military duties

Military Event:

National Service and Vietnam War 1964-1972

Further Information:

Ronald Coleman was a Cadet Journalist from Deakin in the Australian Capital Territory. He was formerly an advertising and production assistant from Chatswood in New South Wales. He made application for full exemption from military duties based on his conscientious opposition to the Vietnam War. On 5 October 1967 Magistrate Rodgers dismissed the application as it was based on the opposition to a particular war, the Vietnam War, which he believed to be unjust and immoral. This was not grounds to be registered as a conscientious objector allowed under the National Service Act. Ronald admitted at the hearing that had no opposition to being conscripted to defend Australia. During 1969 Ronald made a second application for full exemption from military duties. His hearing was at the Court of Petty Sessions of the Australian Capital Territory. It was heard by Magistrate Cromelin. The magistrate stated that he believed the applicants beliefs were not always convincing but concluded he had conscientious beliefs entitling him to an exemption. It would seem the magistrate erred under the National service Act as Ronalds views were still not pacifist to all war. Ronald was sacked from his job as a Cadet Journalist of The Canberra Times following the decision.

Confirmatory Sources:Peacemaker October/ November 1967, p.3; May/ June 1969, p.3.; Woroni 18 June 1969, p.6.; Vivienne Abraham Documents, Ronald Leslie Coleman File.