ROBERTS, Reginald William

Family Name:

Roberts

Given Names:

Reginald William

Gender:

Male

Birth-Date:

Unknown, possibly 1935

Death-Date:

Unknown

Marital Status:

Unknown, probably single

Age:

18 years old

Location:

QLD, Yeppoon

Occupation:

Farmer

Primary Motivation:

Conscientious Objector, religious

Reason for Court Appearance:

Application for total exemption from military duties as a conscientious objector

Court Name and Location:

Court of Petty Sessions, Queensland

Court Hearing Date:

15 October 1953

Court Outcome:

Application was dismissed

Military Event:

National Service 1951-1959

Further Information:

Reginald Roberts was from Yeppoon in Queensland. He was a farmer by trade and a Christadelphian by religion. 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). His hearing was in the Court of Petty Sessions before Magistrate NF Applin on 15 October 1953. The magistrate dismissed his application. Presumably he adopted non-compliance and accordingly was sent to Holsworthy Military Prison in New South Wales to serve at least 176 days, which was equal to the time of military training prescribed under the NSA. He was released from custody on 10 October 1954. It was reported that conscientious objectors 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.231.

Peacemaker, September/ October 1954, p.2.