Family Name:
Tuck
Given Names:
Martin John
Gender:
Male
Birth-date:
Unknow possibly 1950
Death-date:
Unknown
Marital Status:
Unknown, probably single
Age Range:
Early 20s
Location:
NSW, Gordon
Occupation:
Unknown
Primary Motivation:
Draft Resister, religious
Reason for Court Appearance:
[1] Refused to register for national service
[2] Refused to attend a medical examination
Court Name and Location:
[1] Court of Petty sessions, Sydney
[2] Court of Petty sessions, Sydney
Court Hearing Date:
[1] 6 September 1971
[2] 21 December 1972
Court Outcome:
[1] Convicted and fined
[2] Convicted and fined, and sentenced to 13 days jail then withdrawn
Military Event:
National Service and Vietnam War 1964-1972
Further Information:
Martin Tuck was from Gordon in New South Wales and a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers). He adopted a response of non-compliance to the National Service Act 1964 (NSA). He informed Minister Snedden on 30 January 1970 of his reasons why he could not comply with the NSA and his opposition to Conscription and the Vietnam War’ He began by saying a few years ago he would have registered and entered the army. However, in the last few years he had become a member of the Society of Friends. He further stated, I firmly believe that pacifism, rather than being an alternative to militarism, has become the only course which can ensure the continued existence and improvement of our world. He then turns to Australia’s military alliances, especially that with the United States. He states, Australia must abandon its military alliances and adopt a policy of active friendship and aid to all nations, particularly our neighbours of Asia…abandon our armed forces. He continued, People still ask the question: “What would you do if Australia were invaded?” I feel that neither I or any other pacifist could be sure how he or she would react in those circumstances, but I would hope that I should not resort to violence, and I would participate in non-violent resistance.
Martin commented on the Vietnam War, Vietnam serves as an example of the futility and horror of modern warfare, since it is now clear that the destruction of life and property has far outweighed any excuse America and Australia initially had for entering the conflict. He then returned to explaining his own position, Firstly, I feel that Conscientious Objection appears only as an alternative to those that are fairly articulate and who have carefully thought out their case. The majority of 20-year-old are not aware of arguments against militarism. Further-more I believe that nobody should be put in the position of having to prove before a Court of Law, a conscientious belief and neither do I believe that anyone is qualified nor should be forced to judge another’s belief. He then reminded the Minister that it is right for consciences’ sake to break an unjust law. He states the NSA is such a law. Martin realizes that he would probably had a good chance of exemption from military duties under the NSA as a conscientious objector being a Quaker. However, to apply for such he says would be hypocritical for him. Accordingly, he informs the Minister that he must be non-compliant with the NSA.
Martin refused to register for national service and was summonsed to court for that offence. On 6 September 1971 at the Sydney Court of Petty Sessions, Magistrate Anable convicted him and fined him $40 plus $12.50 cost. His non-compliance continued and he refused to attend the mandatory medical examination. Again, he was summonsed to the Sydney Court of Petty Sessions. He was convicted and fined and sentenced to jail for 13 days. This was withdrawn. By then the incoming Labour Government of Whitlam had suspended the NSA and all in prison were released and pending cases dropped.
Confirmatory Sources:
Peacemaker, March/ April 1970, p.7; May/ June 1970, p.4; September/ December, p.4; May/ June/ July/ August, p.12.
Bobie Oliver, Hell No! We Won’t Go! Resistance to Conscription in Post War Australia, Interventions, Melbourne, 2022, p.263.
THE AUSTRALIAN PEACE HONOUR ROLL 