Family Name:
Oxenbridge
Given Names:
David
Gender:
Male
Birth-Date:
Unknown, possibly 1936
Death-Date:
Unknown
Marital Status:
Unknown, probably single
Age:
18 Years old
Location:
NSW
Occupation:
Unknown
Primary Motivation:
Conscientious Objector, religious
Reason for Court Appearance:
[1] Application for total exemption from military duties as a conscientious objector
[2] Refused to wear army uniform
Court Name and Location:
[1] Unknown, New South Wales
[2] Unknown, New South Wales
Court Hearing Date:
[1] 8 May 1954
[2] Pre-June 1954
Court Outcome:
[1] Granted exemption from combatant military duties only
[2] Sentenced to Holsworthy Military Prison
Military Event:
National Service 1951-1959
Further Information:
David Oxenbridge was from New South Wales and a member of the Christian Assemblies. On the basis of his religious beliefs he applied for total exemption from military duties as a conscientious objector under the National service Act 1951 (NSA). On 8 May 1954 the magistrate granted David exemption from combatant military duties only. Though he intended to appeal the decision he did not do so before the prescribed time under the NSA. He paid his own fare to present himself to the army. His non-compliance led to a refusal to wear military uniform. He was sent to Holsworthy Military Prison in New South Wales. Under the Act he would have been incarcerated for 176 days, which was equivalent to the 176 military training prescribed under the NSA. He was at Holsworthy in June when Vivienne Abraham of the Federal Pacifist Council of Australia visited conscientious objectors there. It was reported that they were well-treated at Holsworthy.
Confirmatory Sources:
Bobbie Oliver, Hell No! We Won’t Go! Resistance to Conscription in Post War Australia, Interventions, Melbourne, 2022, p.230.
Peacemaker, September/ October 1954. p.2.
THE AUSTRALIAN PEACE HONOUR ROLL 