Family Name:
Hinks
Given Names:
Raymond John
Gender:
Male
Birth-Date:
Unknown, possibly 1934
Death-Date:
Unknown
Marital Status:
Unknown, probably single
Age:
18 Years old
Location:
VIC, Diamond Creek
Occupation:
Farmhand
Primary Motivation:
Conscientious Objector, religious
Reason for Court Appearance:
[1] Application for total exemption from military duties as a conscientious objector
[2] Appeal against granting exemption combatant military duties only
Court Name and Location:
[1] Unknown, Melbourne
[2] Unknown, Melbourne
Court Hearing Date:
[1] 21 August 1952
[2] 1 July 1953
Court Outcome:
[1] Granted exemption from combatant military duties only
[2] Appeal dismissed
Military Event:
National Service 1951-1959
Further Information:
Raymond Hinks was from Diamond Creek and the outer suburb of Melbourne. He was a Farmhand by trade. He was a member of the Church of England. He applied for total exemption from military duties under the National Service Act 1951 (NSA). On the 21 August 1952 the magistrate granted Raymond exemption from combatant military duties only. He appealed the decision. The appeal court was on 1 July 1953 and his appeal was heard by Judge Book. His application for total exemption was based on his religious beliefs as a member of the Church of England. The Judge commented that, it is not one of the usual views of the Church of England to be against this sort of thing. Raymond responded that, The Bible seems to be against the precept of war, and added that he would object to medical service in the forces because that would be giving moral support to the combatants. Raymond was asked by the Crown’s Legal Counsel, Did Christ refuse to heal soldiers? He responded, No, but He did not make that his profession. Whether you’re peeling spuds or toting a gun, you’re one unit in war. He was asked if he would fight a holy war. Ramond said he would not. Raymond was unable to convince the Judge of his conscientious beliefs and his appeal was dismissed.
Confirmatory Sources:
Bobbie Oliver, Hell No! We Won’t Go! Resistance to Conscription in Post War Australia, Interventions, Melbourne 2022, p.222.
Peacemaker, September 1953 p.2.
THE AUSTRALIAN PEACE HONOUR ROLL 