FLYNN, Christopher

Family Name:

Flynn

Given Names:

Christopher

Gender:

Male

Birth-Date:

Circa 1870

Death-Date:

Unknown

Marital Status:

Married

Age:

Circa 40s

Location:

VIV, Melbourne

Occupation:

Unknown

Primary Motivation:

Conscientious objector, pacifism-religious, opposition to conscription

Reason for Court Appearance:

Failure to ensure his son was registered for compulsory military training

Court Name and Location:

District Court, Melbourne

Court Hearing Date:

7 July 1913

Court Outcome:

Convicted and fined £1, in lieu imprisonment

Military Event:

Boy Conscription 1911-1929

Further Information:

Christopher Flynn was an Accountant from East Melbourne in Victoria. He refused to allow his son, John Beard Flynn, to be, compelled against his will to become a soldier. Christopher was a Quaker and therefore opposed to war and militarism. John became eligible for military training under the Defence Act (DA) when he turned 14 years old in March 1912.

Christopher was summonsed to the District Court Melbourne on 7 July 1913 before PJ Dwyer. When he was called to plead he said, I refused to register my son, for conscience reasons. It is in opposition to my religious beliefs and my interpretation of the New Testament, and against my conviction as a member of the Society of Friends. The Police Magistratedid not accept the plea and convicted Christopher and fined him £1, in lieu imprisonment. He told the magistrate he would not pay the fine. It is not known what happened after that. It is likely he was imprisoned.

Confirmatory Sources:

Bobbie Oliver, Peacemongers: Conscientious objectors to military service in Australia 1911-1945, Fremantle Arts Centre Press, 1997, pp. 24-25.

Mornington Post, 12 July 1913, p.3.