Family Name:
Martin
Given Names:
Graham William Lloyd
Gender:
Male
Birth-Date:
Unknown
Death-Date:
Unknown
Marital Status:
Unknown, probably single
Age/ Age Range:
Early 20s
Location:
ACT, Canberra
Occupation:
University Student
Primary Motivation:
Conscientious Objector-Pacifism Religious
Reason for Court/ Tribunal Appearance:
Application for full exemption from military service
Court/ Tribunal Name and Location:
Court of Petty sessions, Canberra
Court/ Tribunal Hearing Date:
Unknown
Court/Tribunal Outcome:
Granted full exemption as a conscientious objector
Military Event:
National Service and Vietnam War 1964-1972
Further Information:
Graham Martin was a student at Burtin Hall of the Australian national University. He applied for full exemption from military service. His hearing was on 5 February 1971 at the Canberra Court of Petty Sessions before Magistrate Pearson. He was a confirmed member of the Anglican Church. He told the court that Christian teaching bound him not to kill. He said he believed as a Christian that it was wrong for him to serve in any capacity because by doing so, he would be endorsing the actions of others in the arm. Further, military forces were directed to waging war, which he could not accept under any circumstances because it involved killing people. Graham said he had come to his Christian pacifist beliefs 5 years ago when he had commenced his university studies. He told the court he had applied to be registered as a conscientious objector 3 years ago but had accepted deferments on educational grounds with an understanding it would not prejudice his application. Whilst he was still at this time undertaking his Doctor of Philosophy Studies in Physics, he had decided to come to court now. Mr P McBride, o the Deputy Crown Solicitor’s Office, appeared for the Minister of Labour and National Service. Magistrate Pearson granted Graham full exemption from military service as a conscientious objector.
Confirmatory Sources:
Canberra Times, 6 February 1971, p.8.
THE AUSTRALIAN PEACE HONOUR ROLL 