FREWIN, Rupert O

Family Name:

Frewin

Given Names:

Rupert O

Gender:

Male

Birth-Date:

Unknown

Death-Date:

Unknown

Marital Status:

Unknown

Age/ Age Range:

Unknown

Location:

NSW, Byron Bay

Occupation:

Unknown

Primary Motivation:

Conscientious Objection – religious pacifism

Reason for Court Appearance:

Applied for exemption as a conscientious objector

Court Name and Location:

Byron Bay Court, NSW

Court Hearing Date:

26 October 1916

Court Outcome:

Application to be registered as a conscientious objector was not granted

Military Event:

World War I 1914-1918

Further Information:

Rupert Frewin was from Byron Bay in New South Wales. He was a Baptist by religion. He applied to be registered as a conscientious objector based on religious pacificism. At court and on other occasions Rupert argued that the Holy Scriptures did not allow him to take part in the military. This was despite the fact that he already had two brothers at the front. The police magistrate did not grant his application for registration as a conscientious objector. The magistrate asked Rupert him if he was not willing to help his country. He replied, certainly I am, but taking into consideration the battles- referring to the Bible, I believe my prayers will stem an invasion …as far as I am concerned, than in going out to meet an enemy with arms. He continued to state, If I have anything to do with this awful bloodshed and slaughter nor raging furiously in Europe, as a soldier for the King of Kings, I would advise with all my heart the poor broken-hearted mothers and anxious fathers to get right with God and pray to Almighty God, as did the delivered-Israelites lest a still worse affliction overtakes us and punishment for our sin be increased. It is unknown what followed the dismissal of his application.

Confirmatory Sources:

Northern Star, 2 November 1916, p.4; 4 December 1916, p.2.Daily Examiner, 17 November 1916, p.6.