OAKLEY, Alex Henry

Family Name:

Oakley

Given Names:

Alex Henry

Gender:

Male

Birth-date:

Unknown

Death-date:

Unknown

Marital Status:

Married.

Age Range:

Unknown

Location:

TAS, Campbelltown

Occupation:

Charcoal burner

Primary Motivation:

Conscientious Objector – Religious Pacifism

Reason for Court Appearance:

[1] Application to enrol as a Conscientious Objector
[2] Refusal to take oath or affirmation of service; refusal to report to camp.

Court Name and Location:

[1] Campbelltown, TAS.
[2] Military Court, Brighton, VIC.

Court Hearing Date:

[1] 28 April 1942
[2] 13 July 1942.

Court Outcome:

[1] Application rejected.
[2] Held at Brighton Detention Camp under the Defence Act Section 78 for 2 2 weeks, then fined £15.

Military Event:

World War II 1939-1945

Further Information:

Henry Oakley was a Jehovah’s Witness, who lived in Campbelltown, Tasmania. He was married with children. His occupation was charcoal burner. In 1942, he applied to be enrolled as a conscientious objector. His application was rejected in the Campbelltown Court on 28 April. After he refused to take the oath or affirmation of enlistment or to report to camp, he was arrested by the Provost Corps and held at Brighton Detention Camp from 1 to 13 July 1942. He was court martialed, found guilty of failing to report to camp and fined £15. Henry appealed and also wrote to the Attorney General. What happened after his period in detention is unknown.

Confirmatory Sources:

Attorney General’s Department, NAA: A472, W8477, Item ID 101104. Title: Alex Oakley – R. Hall – Conscientious Objectors. Jean Rawnsey – re detention of civilians in military camps.