Family Name:
Hestor
Given Names:
Alan Lance
Gender:
Male
Birth-Date:
Unknown, possibly 1937
Death-Date:
Unknown
Marital Status:
Unknown, probably single
Age:
18 years old
Location:
VIC, Bendigo
Occupation:
Painter
Primary Motivation:
Conscientious Objector, religious
Reason for Court Appearance:
Application for total exemption from military duties as a conscientious objector
Court Name and Location:
Unknown, Victoria
Court Hearing Date:
Early 1956
Court Outcome:
Granted exemption from combatant military duties only
Military Event:
National Service 1951-1959
Further Information:
Aan Hestor was from Bendigo a provincial city of Victoria. He was a painter by trade. He was a member of the Jehovah’s Witness. 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.Magistrate Marwick presided over the hearing. The magistrate was scathing in criticism of Alan when dismissing his application for total exemption. Marwick said, The trouble today is that there is too much theoretical religion and not enough practical…You people might create a greater impression on the community not enough if you were prepared to don a uniform…It will be a good experience for you to have 3 months in the army. The magistrate asked Alan, Do you think that if Christ happened to come back on earth he would turn his eyes away from the wounded? Alan responded, He would help, but he would not join the military. Alan said a Jehovah’s Witness would not join other organisations because they were the instruments of Satan. Although he did admit he would call the police if his home was robbed. The magistrate responded, You do rely then, on organisations to protect you. The magistrate ordered Alan to perform non-combatant military training when called-up. It is unknown if Alan appealed the decision.
Confirmatory Sources:
Peacemaker, January/ February 1956, p.2.
THE AUSTRALIAN PEACE HONOUR ROLL 