Prisoners of Conscience: No To The Army

Conscription was introduced in Britain in 1916. For political or religious reasons thousands of men refused to fight... The popular image of conscientious objectors at the time was of men lacking courage and with no sense of patriotism. Actually they suffered humiliation and even torture for their beliefs, regularly impressing policemen, soldiers, and prison warders with their humour and integrity. "I felt very strongly that I would much rather be shot than shoot anyone else"