Military Events

Introduction
The relevant military event(s) of those on the Honour Roll of Australian Conscientious Objectors, Draft Resisters and Peacemakers includes the Boer War 1898-1902, Boy Conscription 1911-1929, WW1 1914-1918, WW11 1939-1945, National Service Act 1951-1959, Korean War 1950-1953 and National Service Act and the Vietnam War 1964-1972.

Not all military events or honour roll names have been entered on the site.

In using the search box for a particular military event, it is best to use the dates of each event eg 1911-1929, 1914-1918, 1939-1945, 1951-1959 and 1964-1972.

Boer War 1898 -1902
Britain was by 1899 at war with the Orange Free state and the South African Republic (Transvaal). At this time the Australian federation had not come into being. Nevertheless, colonial troops were sent to fight with the British against the Boer Republics. As these forces were voluntarily there were no known conscientious objectors amongst the combatants.

Public opinion was in favour of the war against the Boers. There was some dissent, especially amongst Labor leaders, mainly because it distracted from the ‘real’ war between labour and capital. Two other conflicts which involved colonial military personnel were the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901) and the Sudan (1880s). Again, colonial sentiment was in favour of supporting Britain but with the existence of some dissent.

Boy Conscription 1911-1929
The first Commonwealth Defence Act became law in 1903. The amendment of 1911 compelled all ‘British’ males aged twelve to twenty-six years who had lived in Australia for at least the previous six months to undergo military training. It was not intended for overseas military service. No provision was made for conscientious objection. Punishment for evasion was harsh. Court martial was used. A death sentence could be imposed for mutiny as well as for treason or desertion to the enemy. Despite this harsh and punitive system there were many groups and individuals opposed to the system.

It is not possible to estimate the number of boys or their parents who adopted conscientious non-compliance. However, the number of prosecutions for non-compliance was significant.

It is both ironic and tragic that, while the failure of the conscription plebiscites in 1916 and 1917 released adult men from the prospect of military service if they refused to enlist, under the law, boys could still have to endure solitary confinement for refusal to undergo military training.

WW1 1914-1918
During the Great European War, which is known as WW1 1914 to 1918, except for a brief period during 1916, it is difficult to estimate those men who had a conscientious objection to war as there was no military conscription for overseas service. This was unlike Britain and New Zealand which conscripted men to fight overseas. Women did not serve in the armed forces but some volunteered for nursing in the theatres of war. Some women also expressed their conscientious objection to the war.

The two plebiscites of 1916 and 1917 which attempted to introduce conscription were defeated. However, a month before the first plebiscite the Governor General issued a proclamation on 29 September 1916, calling all single and childless males aged twenty-one to thirty-six years to enlist and serve in the war. There was provision for conscientious objection, but it strongly favoured those who were ministers of religion or theological students.

The proclamation was revoked 22 November 1916. Those whose conscience demanded a refusal to enlist under the proclamation and who had been imprisoned were to be released now. Imprisonment was under harsh conditions.

WW11 1939-1945
The National Security Act 1939 enabled the government to reintroduce compulsory military service under the Defence Act. After considerable debate the grounds on which conscientious objection could be argued were broadened. Non-religious (humanist) conscientious objection was accepted. During 1941 the government only offered combatant exemption to a conscientious objector. If they refused to serve as a non-combatant they would be prosecuted.

In July 1941 the government softened their treatment of conscientious objectors. Imprisoned objectors were released, and prosecutions suspended. During 1941 the Curtin Labor government came to power. It recognised conscientious objection based on religious and humanist grounds. The government also lifted a ban on Jehovah’s Witnessses, which meant the Jehovah’s Witnesses ministers could apply for exemption like those of other churches.

The legislation provided for exemption from combatant military duties, and from 1943 also exemption from non-combatant military duties. A successful applicant was registered for civilian work under civilian control. Many still had a conscientious objection to that. Persons who wanted to act on their conscience after enlistment could not apply to be registered as a conscientious objector. This was provided for during 1945.

National Service Act 1951-1959
The Menzies Coalition government re-introduced military conscription during 1951. It was for training and home defence. It became law 17 March 1951. It provided for the same conscientious objector provisions as from 1943. Conscientious objections could be grounded in religion or humanism, and exemption could be sought from combatant and/or non-combatant military duties. What constituted non-combatant duties was a continuing problem, not the least for the military. On 13 May 1953, conscientious objectors were granted the right of appeal. Military conscription ended in 1959.

Korean War 1950-1953
As previously mentioned, conscription was reintroduced during the Korean War. It is unknown how many persons were registered as conscientious objectors during these years. Towards the end of the war in May 1953, those who were unsuccessful in obtaining conscientious objector registration were given the right to appeal.

Conscientious objection was provided for, and as for the previous scheme it could be grounded in religion or humanism. An applicant could apply for exemption from combatant and non- combatant military service or combatant only. A civilian service alternative was expressly ruled out by the government. Also ruled out was a conscientious objection to a particular war.

National Service Act and the Vietnam War 1964-1972
The Menzies Coalition government re-introduced military conscription in November 1964. At the time Australia was involved in an undeclared war in Vietnam. It was a selective rather than universal scheme. Males turning twenty years in 1965 were to register. Every six months a ballot of birthdates was conducted. Those whose birthdates were selected were required to attend a medical examination and if proved fit were liable for call-up.

Soon after the re-introduction of compulsory military service the government announced that conscripts were to be treated as a part of the regular army. Consequently, some were sent to fight in Vietnam, or could be sent to fight anywhere else in the world. This was the first time conscripts were sent to fight overseas.

Conscientious objection was provided for, and as for the previous scheme it could be grounded in religion or humanism. An applicant could apply for exemption from combatant and non- combatant military service or combatant only. A civilian service alternative was expressly ruled out by the government.

Also ruled out was a conscientious objection to a particular war. In this context an objection to the Vietnam War. Increasingly, this became a reason for young men refusing to enlist.

Conclusion
Conscientious objection in Australia since Federation has been motivated by one or more factors. This includes religious or humanist pacifism to all war or a particular war, anti-conscription, anti-capitalism, and anarchism.

Conscription legislation acknowledged conscientious objection. Traditionally this applied to ministers of religion and theological students, and members of the historic peace (pacifist) churches.

Overtime, the scope has broadened and today it provides conscientious objection on the grounds of religious and humanist objection to war in general or to a particular war.

In the past because of the narrow definition of conscientious objection persons of conscience were left with no choice but to adopt conscientious non-compliance and become draft- resisters. Others choose non-compliance as a protest against the legitimacy of the right of government to conscript even when it provided for conscientious objection to undertaking military duties.