Family Name:
Comey
Given Names:
Cliff
Gender:
Male
Birth-Date:
Unknown, probably 1949
Death-Date:
Unknown
Marital Status:
Unknown, probably single
Age Range:
Early 20s
Location:
SA
Occupation:
Unknown
Primary Motivation:
Conscientious Objector
Reason for Court/ Tribunal Appearance:
[1] Refused to attend a medical examination
[2] Application for total exemption from military duties as a conscientious objector
Court/ Tribunal Name and Location:
[1] Magistrates Court, South Australia
[2] Unknown, South Australia
Court/ Tribunal Hearing Date:
[1] 25 September 1969
[2] Mid 1970
Court/Tribunal Outcome:
[1] Convicted and fined $40 plus $4 costs or 1 month’s jail in lieu plus 7 days jail
[2] Exemption was granted
Military Event:
National Service and Vietnam War 1964-1972
Further Information:
Cliff Comey was from South Australia. He burnt his national service registration card and did not register under the National Service Act 1964 (NSA). He refused to attend the mandatory medical examination under the Act. At a court hearing on 25 September 1969, he was convicted for this offence. He was fined $40 plus $4 costs or in lieu one month’s jail, plus 7 days jail. Whilst in prison Cliff fasted and only consumed black coffee and salt. It is unknown what changed his mind from non-compliance to compliance with the NSA. He applied, probably mid-May 1970 for total exemption from military duties as a conscientious objector. This was granted.
Confirmatory Sources:
Peacemaker, November/ December 1969, p.8; May/ June 1970, p.4.
Bobbie Oliver, Hell No! We Won’t Go! Resistance to Conscription in Post War Australia, Interventions, Melbourne, 2022, p.247.
THE AUSTRALIAN PEACE HONOUR ROLL 