Family Name:
Davies
Given Names:
Brian William
Gender:
Male
Birth-date:
Unknown
Death-date:
Unknown
Marital Status:
Unknown, probably single
Age/ Age Range:
21 years old
Location:
NSW, Clovelly
Occupation:
Economics Student
Primary Motivation:
Conscientious Objector
Reason for Court Appearance:
Applied for full exemption from military duties
Court Name and Location:
Magistrates Court, Sydney
Court Hearing Date:
5 May 1969
Court Outcome:
Granted full exemption from military duties
Military Event:
National Service and Vietnam War 1964-1972
Further Information:
Brian Davies was a 21-year-old from Clovelly in New South Wales. He was an Economics student. He applied for full exemption from military duties. At a magistrate’s court hearing in Sydney, Magistrate CS Rodgers granted his application. The magistrate commented that, the onus is of course on the applicant to prove these matters, not beyond all reasonable doubt but on the balance of probability. He does impress me as being a sincere and honest young man, and although an idealist, he is nevertheless, I feel quite sincere in his beliefs. I am quite convinced of course, that he is strongly opposed to killing and to any form of violence and there seems to be no doubt that he would be entitled to exemption from any form of combatant service. Magistrate Rodgers then added, it is difficult to consider to what extent Brian’s conscience might be violated if he were called upon to engage in some for of non-combatant service. There might be some suggestion of inconsistency when he admits in the long run, he would pay his taxes well knowing that some of this money will be used for defence purposes. The magistrate then sought to comment generally on application of all persons claiming full exemption from military duties based on their pacifism. He stated that I feel there is always some inconsistency in the attitudes of anyone who makes these applications; some of these must be inevitable. I am nevertheless impressed by his (Brian) sincerity, and I feel that on the balance of probabilities he has discharged the onus placed upon him. I feel he is entitled to the exemption he claims.
Confirmatory Sources:
Peacemaker May/ June 1969, p.3; Canberra Times,15 April 1969, p.2.
THE AUSTRALIAN PEACE HONOUR ROLL 