TOWNSEND, Stephen

Family Name:

Townsend

Given Names:

Stephen

Gender:

Male

Birth-date:

Unknown, probably 1948

Death-date:

Unknown

Marital Status:

Unknown, probably single

Age:

20 years old

Location:

NSW, Glebe

Occupation:

University Student

Primary Motivation:

Draft Resister – opposition to the Vietnam War

Reason for Court Appearance:

[1] Refused to register for National Service

[2] Failure to pay the fine for being unregistered

[3] Refused to attend the medical examination

Court Name and Location:

[1] Court of Petty Sessions, Sydney

[2]Unknown, Sydney

[3] Unknown, Sydney

Court Hearing Date:

[1] 27 November 1968

[2] 25 February 1969

[3] 10 September 1969

Court Outcome:

[1] Convicted and fined $40 plus $17 costs or in lieu 29 days jail

[2] Convicted and sentenced to 29 days

[3] Fined $40 plus $17 costs or 29 days in jail in lieu and sentenced to 7 days jail

Military Event:

National Service and the Vietnam War 1964-1972

Further Information:

Stephen Townsend was from Glebe in New South Wales and a part-time university student. He was the younger brother to Simon Townsend who held pacifist views towards all war. He wrote to Minister Bury, on 6 February 1968, to inform him of his refusal to register for National Service. He requests that Bury inform him of his fate as he claims others like him have not been prosecuted. Bury responded by informing Stephen that the penalty is $100 for non-registration and urged him to register. Stephen responded with another letter to the Minister. He points out that his conscientious objection, to a particular war, namely Vietnam, does no fall under the National Service Act. He states registration would not help him with the matter. The Minister again responded and informed Stephen unless he cannot satisfy a court that you hold conscientious beliefs which do not allow you to engage in any form of military service you are liable to render service under the National Service Act.

Stephen was arrested and convicted for his refusal to register. His failure to pay the fine led to a sentence of 29 days jail. His non-compliance continued with his refusal to attend the mandatory medical examination. He was arrested and sentenced to a fine in lieu 29 days jail as well as 7 days jail. This time he paid the fine. On 27 October he refused the call-up notice. The governmnet in mid-1970 deemed him unfit for military serviec

Confirmatory Sources:

Peacemaker, July/August 1968, p.4; November/ December 1968, p.1; January/ February 1969, p.6; March/ April 1969, p.7; November/ December, 1969 p.8; May/ June 1970, p.4.

Courtesy: The Peacemaker, January/ February, 1969, p,6.