Family Name:
Hook
Given Names:
Philip Douglas
Gender:
Male
Birth-date:
Unknown, probably 1946
Death-date:
Unknown
Marital Status:
Unknown, probably single
Age/ Age Range:
21 years old
Location:
WA, Nedlands
Occupation:
Student, now National Serviceman
Primary Motivation:
Conscientious Objector
Reason for Court Appearance:
Application for full exemption from military duties
Court Name and Location:
Court of Petty Sessions, Perth
Court Hearing Date:
23 February 1968
Court Outcome:
Granted full exemption from military duties
Military Event:
National Service and Vietnam War 1964-1972
Further Information:
Philip Hook was from Nedlands in Western Australia. He was 21 years old and voluntarily withdrew from university to commence national service during October 1967. He was a second-year Arts student. He applied for full exemption from military duties as a conscientious objector. His hearing was at the Court of Petty sessions in Perth on 23 February 1968. He was heard by Magistrate WA Petterson. Philip informed the court that he had formed his pacifist beliefs during six weeks of combat training with weapons at Puckapunyal Military Base in Victoria. He said that when he was first issued with a rifle, he was reminded that he was being trained to kill. He stated that he now believed that killing was wrong and could not be justified by international conflict. By refusing to participate he could personally help end the system. Magistrate Petterson said that he was satisfied that Philip had established views that would preclude him from further national service. He granted Philip full exemption from all military duties as a conscientious objector. Philip was the first Western Australian conscript to granted exemption after he had commenced national service.
Confirmatory Sources:
Peacemaker April 1968, p.3.
THE AUSTRALIAN PEACE HONOUR ROLL 