ARMSTRONG, Karl R

Family Name:

Armstrong (possibly Keatch)

Given Names:

Karl R

Gender: Male

Birth-date:

Unknown. possibly 1948

Death-date:

15 March 2024

Marital Status:

Unknown, probably single

Age/ Age Range:

Early 20s

Location:

VIC, North Fitzroy

Occupation:

Apprentice Offset Print-Plate Maker

Primary Motivation:

Draft Resister- Anti Conscription

Reason for Court Appearance:

[1] Refusal to register under the National Service Act 1964 (NSA)
[2] Refusal to pay a fine
[3 Refusal to undertake a medical examination]

Court Name and Location:

[1] Unknown, North Melbourne
[2] Unknown, North Melbourne
[3] Unknown, Unknown

Court Hearing Date:

[1] 10 November 1969
[2] 6 July 1970
[3] 9 March 1971

Court Outcome:

[1] Fined $40 plus $15.50 costs
[2] Jailed 8 days in lieu of fine
[3] Fined and jailed for? days

Military Event:

National Service and Vietnam War 1964-1972

Personal Summary:

Karl Armstrong was form North Fitzroy, Victoria was an apprentice offset-print plate maker. His family name may have been Keatch and Armstrong adopted.He wrote a letter to Minister informing him that he could not comply with any aspects of the National Service Act 1964 (NSA). This included any alternative service should it become available. He was due to register for national service in July 1968 but did not He indicated he was prepared to undergo any consequences for his non-compliance. He sought repeal of the NSA. He called on other young men to follow his example.

In the letter he indicated the reasons for his non-compliance. First, he was opposed to conscription since war had no worthwhile purpose in advancing and serving mankind. Second, that conscription took away individual human rights and replaced them with a machine mentality designed to kill one’s fellow man. Third, conscription of vote-less young man was to carry-out the government’s brutal aggression towards the people of Vietnam. He added that he personally supported the struggle of the National Liberation Front (Viet Cong) and Ho Chi Minh against this aggression.

He was fined $40 plus $15.50 costs at a court in North Melbourne for his refusal to register, He was jailed for eight days 6 July 1070 for his refusal to pay the fine. During 1970 he refused to undertake the medical examination mandated by the NSA. He was convicted a fined and jailed for this continued non-compliance.

Confirmatory Source:

The Peacemaker, January/ February 1969, pp. 5-6; March/ April 1969, p.6; August/ September 1970. p.7; October/ November 1970, p.6;/March April 1971, p.11.

The Tribune 15 July 1970. p.3.