Family Name:
McQuilten
Given Names:
Gordon Alexander
Gender:
Male
Birth-Date:
14 May 1945
Death-Date:
4 February 2026
Marital Status:
Single with partner
Age:
22 years old
Location:
VIC, Newmarket
Occupation:
Student, later a professional photographer
Primary Motivation:
Conscientious Objector-Pacifism Humanist
Reason for Court Appearance:
Application for full exemption from military service
Court/ Tribunal Name and Location:
Court of Petty Sessions, Melbourne
Court Hearing Date:
19 October 1968
Court Outcome:
Granted full exemption as a conscientious objector
Military Event:
National Service and Vietnam War 1964-1972
Further Information:
Gordon McQuilten was a 22-year-old from Victoria. He applied for and was granted full exemption from military service as a conscientious objector on 19 September 1968 at the Melbourne Court of Petty Sessions. His conscientious objection was grounded in a humanist belief of the utmost sanctity of life.
It is likely his family background influences his conscientious beliefs. His Father Percy grew up in a mining family. He was politically engaged and left in his politics. He did serve in WWII. His mother shared these views and was involved with the Save Our Sons Movement. Gordon read a great deal about Indochina (Vietnam) as a teenager. He had already formed his pacifist convictions by then. He attended Quaker meetings at this time. He was also influenced by the Philosopher of Bertrand Russell. Gordon believed the Vietnam War to be immoral, and he certainly could not be part of the military.
Under the selective conscription of the National Service Acy 1964 (NSA) his birthday number 14 May 1945 was selected. He attracted criticism of his views, including physical threats. He applied under the NSA to be exempted from both combatant and non-combatant military service. He appeared at the Magistrates Court Melbourne on19 October 1968. He was legally represented by Ms. Fowler. The magistrate granted full exception. Success of his case was greatly influenced by the testimony in support of his application by two ’hostile’ witnesses. These protagonists were both former military personnel who had argued against his views about pacifism and the Vietnam War. They confirmed that his pacifism was sincerely held, and of long-standing.
Gordon reflected on this period of his life. He relates that during High School he was pressured to take part in cadets which reflected on his father’s role in WWII. He said his father never wanted to talk about his war experience. He also mentioned at school he came across copies of old newspapers and booklets about war. He was especially interested in the Indo-China war where the Vietnamese under Ho Chi Min were victorious against the colonial power of France during 1954. He commented on a dark feeling that the continuing war between North and South Vietnam may impact him one day.
In his personal reflections he stated that, In 1962 my worst fears were confirmed. The US sends a large commitment of troops while Australia engages a small group of advisors to train the Viets in the South. As early as this he questioned whether the Australian commitment might require conscription. He described his future as insecure. This proved correct because his birth-date, 14 May 1945, was selected in the conscription ballot. He responded by saying, I now have a fight on my hands to prove myself as a conscientious objector.
Gordon recalled that his legal counsel, Ms. Fowler, who was recommended by the Quakers, Confided in me that I was her first case not based on religion. So she warned me that it could attract much interest. There were others with no religion but they had lost”. She advised him to find ‘hostile witnesses to support his case. As mentioned, he did this. Gordon was fortunate because he had friends and family who supported him through the difficult time.
Gordon’s daughter, Grace, stated that, After the court case he pursued his commitment of peace and became active in the anti-nuclear movement, then the labor party and environmental movements. He co-founded the Green Labour Party with Dr Helen Caldicott, a branch that came close but failed to win a seat in parliament. He also stood as an independent Green senator and stood for the Democrats.
Confirmatory Sources:
Vivienne Abraham Documents, Gordon McQuilten File (Letter from Andrew Hopkins to Vivienne Abraham, dated 6 October 1968).
Gordon McQuilten, Personal Reflections: My Involvement with the Australian Army, undated.
Personal Interview, Grace McQuilten, February 2026.
Bobbie Oliver, Hell No We Won’t Go: Resistance to conscription in post war Australia, Interventions, 2022, p. 256.
THE AUSTRALIAN PEACE HONOUR ROLL 