Family Name:
Keon
Given Names:
Robert Bryan
Gender:
Male
Birth-date:
Probably1946
Death-date:
Unknown
Marital Status:
Unknown, probably single
Age/ Age Range: early 20s
Location:
VIC, North Essendon
Occupation:
Unknown
Primary Motivation:
Conscientious Objection
Reason for Court Appearance:
[a]Applied for full exemption from military duties
[b] Appealed decision to be granted exemption from combatant military duties only
Court Name and Location:
[a] Magistrates Court, Melbourne
[b] Appeal Court, Melbourne
Court Hearing Date:
[a] 4 August 1966
[b] 1966
Court Outcome:
[a] Application for full exemption was not granted
[b] Appeal dismissed, granted exemption from combatant military duties only
Military Event:
National Service and Vietnam War 1964-1972
Further Information:
Robert Keon was from North Essendon a suburb of Melbourne. He applied for full exemption from military duties and his hearing was at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on 4 August 1966. It was heard by Magistrate C Elvish. The magistrate exempted Robert from combatant military duties only. He appealed the decision. Robert informed Judge Forrest that he objected to taking human life and believed it was his moral duty to preserve it. He also stated that he was opposed to capital punishment and dangerous sports like boxing and racing cars. Under cross-examination he had no objection to many of the features of communism. Judge Forrest dismissed the appeal and upheld the decision of the lower court. It is unknown if Robert made a second application for full exemption.
Confirmatory Sources:
Peacemaker, September 1966, p.3; October 1966, p.3.
THE AUSTRALIAN PEACE HONOUR ROLL 