Family Name:
Gregory
Given Names:
Christopher
Gender:
Male
Birth-Date:
Unknown, possibly 1938
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:
Application for total exemption from military duties as am conscientious objector
Court Name and Location:
Magistrates Court, Sydney
Court Hearing Date:
10 December 1956
Court Outcome:
Application was granted
Military Event:
National Service 1951-1959
Further Information:
Christopher Gregory was from New South Wales and was a Sydney Quaker. 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. His hearing was at the Sydney Magistrates Court before Magistrate McCauley on 10 December 1956. He grounded his objection on the belief that wars and all they represent are completely incompatible with the teachings of Christ and the examples he set men to follow. He said that, he regarded God’s commandments to love God and one’s neighbour as fundamental. When asked the basis of his objection, the applicant told the magistrate that his views were based on his understanding of the Bible reached through meditation and prayer. The magistrate was impressed that Christopher did not accept the Bible uncritically. In his judgement Magistrate McCauley said, This applicant has a conscientious belief against combatant and non-combatant service which he says he has primarily acquired by his own thinking, His convictions are borne out by the Bible which he says presents a doctrine of love…Under the Act of course, a conscientious objector need not base his case on a religious belief at all. The magistrate granted the application.
Confirmatory Sources:
Peacemaker, January/ February 1957, p.2.
THE AUSTRALIAN PEACE HONOUR ROLL 