Family Name:
Bain
Given Names:
Kevin John
Gender:
Male
Birth-date:
Unknown, possibly 1951
Death-date:
Unknown
Marital Status:
Unknown, probably single
Age:
20 years old
Location:
VIC, Malvern
Occupation:
Unknown
Primary Motivation:
Draft Resister
Reason for Court Appearance:
NA
Court Name and Location:
NA
Court Hearing Date:
NA
Court Outcome:
NA
Military Event:
National Service and Vietnam War 1964-1972
Further Information:
Kevin Bain was from Malvern, a suburb of Melbourne. He opposed the National Service Act 1964 (NSA). He was active in protests and demonstrations working for the repeal of the NSA. He failed to register for national service during 1971. He participated in a demonstration, held in Canberra on 21 May 1971. Kevin was amongst those who did not appear on 25 May at the Canberra Court of Petty Sessions on the charge of obstruction under a new Public Order (Protection of Person and Property) Act. He pleaded not guilty. The charges were dropped by WH Johnston, Deputy Crown Solicitor on 27 August 1971. On 7 June 1972 twenty draft resisters chained together took a tram from Pentridge Jail to Melbourne city. They had demonstrated outside the prison in solidarity with the 6 draft resisters in various jails throughout Australia. On reaching the city centre they, still chained together, entered the office of the Department of Labour and National Service. A fellow register, David Buckle, was arrested for failing to attend a medical examination under the NSA. This was the first time it had been undertaken without summons. Kevin was handed a notice by a Commonwealth Policeman to attend a medical examination. It is unknown if he complied. It is unlikely that Kevin was prosecuted under the NSA. The government during 1971, and especially 1972, were reluctant to prosecute when the result would be jailing a young man. This was particularly in regard to a refusal to obey a call-up notice. This attracted 18 months’ imprisonment. The government aimed to minimize its political risk of having large numbers of young men in prison. All pending prosecutions under the NSA were stopped by the newly elected Whitlam Labor government in early December 1972.
Confirmatory Sources:
Canberra Times, 26 May 1971, p.10; 12 June 171, p.7; 28 August 1971, p.8; 13 June 1972, p.11.
Peacemaker, May/ June/ July/ August 1971, p.11.
THE AUSTRALIAN PEACE HONOUR ROLL 