Family Name:
Gilbert
Given Names:
Robert Foulson
Gender:
Male
Birth-date:
Unknown, probably 1946
Death-date:
Unknown
Marital Status:
Unknown, probably Single
Age/ Age Range:
24 years old
Location:
ACT, Australian National University
Occupation:
Postgraduate Research Student in Chemistry
Primary Motivation: Conscientious Objection
Reason for Court Appearance:
Applied for full exemption from military duties
Court Name and Location:
Court of Petty Sessions, Canberra
Court Hearing Date:
17 March 1970
Court Outcome:
Granted full exemption from military duties
Military Event:
National Service and Vietnam War 1964-1972
Further Information:
Robert Gilbert was a 24-year-old postgraduate student at the Australian National University in Canberra. He lived at Burton Hall. Robert e was a research student in Chemistry. He applied for full exemption from military duties. The hearing was on 17 March 1970 at the Court of Petty Sessions in Canberra. It was heard by Magistrate Dobson. Robert informed the court that he was a pacifist and believed the most precious possession a man had was hid life. He would rather live under a tyranny than take the life of another human being. Further he said that he would prefer to go to jail rather than serve in any part of the army. A non-combatant role would be aiding combatant soldiers. The magistrate granted Robert full exemption from military duties as a conscientious objector.
Confirmatory Sources:
Peacemaker, March/ April 1970, p.3; May/ June 1970, p.3.: Canberra Times 12 February 1970, p.9.
THE AUSTRALIAN PEACE HONOUR ROLL 