Family Name:
Schneider
Given Names:
William Karl
Gender:
Male
Birth-date:
Unknown]
Death-date:
Unknown
Marital Status
Unknown
Age/ Age Range:
Unknown
Location:
SA, Back Valley, Victor Harbour
Occupation:
Farmer, Leader of Witnesses in South Australia, controller of 5KA Radio Station.
Primary Motivation:
Conscientious Objector – Religious Pacifism
Reason for Court Appearance:
Appeal of court decision
Court Name and Location:
Unknown
Court Hearing Date:
1943
Court Outcome:
Unknown
Military Event:
World War II 1939-1945
Further Information:
William Schneider had been a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses since 1922. Prior to that, he had served in the First AIF during World War I. He held several important positions among the Jehovah’s Witnesses in South Australia, including being appointed as their leader in 1941, and controlling the 5KA radio station. He had also been a member of the Adelaide Company of Jehovah’s Witnesses and of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. The fact that, by 1943, after holding these prominent positions in the sect, William was located as a member of the Victor Harbour Community Farm at Back Valley may indicate the persecution of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in South Australis. In November 1942, he had appeared in court for the Adelaide Company of Witnesses, when the radio station 5KA was charged with sedition. The outcome of his appeal is unknown.
Confirmatory Sources:
Attorney-General’s Department, NAA: D1915/0, SA29378, item ID 423791. Title: Policy – Jehovah’s Witnesses.
THE AUSTRALIAN PEACE HONOUR ROLL 