Conscientious Objection during the Second World War

In this excerpt from our Voices of Conscientious Objection webinar series, historian and writer Ann Kramer explores the situation for conscientious objectors during the Second World War

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Began to be fascinated by Conscientious Objection a year into my RAF service. My father, ex-RAF Sergeant, said the people he most admired during WW2 were the "Conchies". He said they took severe beatings and yet continued to stand for what they beleived in. I think his opinion was that very many, like him, who were conscripted thought the same but hadn't the courage to stand. It was easier to put the uniform on. Nearing the end of my 3rd year in the RAF I knew I couldn't continue, only partly the C.O. thing as no one wanted to even discuss the morality or ethics of war or the politics of it, there were other cultural areas which also made me an odd man out and the longer I was in the more wilful blindness I met. I left at the 1st opportunity on the last day of my 3rd year. Went into Nursing in our NHS and here I am a retired Senior Nurse after 30years and for the last 11years still working within the NHS. I had never met a C.O. until one elderly patient, in conversation told me he was a C.O. during WW2. I remember his description. As war was being declaredhe he and a mate were walking down New City Road in Glasgow and bought a newspaper. With the headline on conscription. Both he and his mate refused, not because of religion or politics but because they would not kill another human being. In and out of prison they both never wavered.
Best Wishes.