Australia’s first conscientious objector during the Vietnam War | Our Vietnam War | ABC Australia

In 1965 William White registered as a conscientious objector, stating his opposition to both war in general and the war in Vietnam. His objection was denied.

When William White’s birthday was drawn in the first conscription ballot held in March, he was the first Australian to fight his call up notice.

After refusing to report for training he was sacked from his teaching job and then arrested and incarcerated at Holsworthy Army Base.

Over 60,000 Australians, including ground troops and air force and navy personnel, served in Vietnam; 523 died as a result of the war and almost 2,400 were wounded.

On August 18, 2023, Australia marks the 50th anniversary of the end of its involvement in the Vietnam War with a national service at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra.

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The 3-part series Our Vietnam War tells the story Australia’s involvement in the words of the men who were sent to fight; the battles, the protests, returning and the long shadow the war cast on the people whose lives were turned upside down.

Please note: On most of our videos, the captions/subtitles are auto-generated by YouTube.

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[LynHannan]

He had the guts to stand up for his beliefs. He had the guts to be the first in Australia. He made it easier for those who followed him. That is emotional intelligence at it's best.

[willleslie]

If conscription ever came back, i will not go lightly.

[potapotapotapotapotapota]

let the politicians who want us to go to war have their own 1v1 and leave the rest of us out of it

[leftin]

Look how the old men rush to send the young men off to die

[DjWellDressedMan]

The USA committed War Crimes in Vietnam and hats off to William White a conscientious objector!

[hongphucnguyenbuiphuchands]

What they don't see is the way they protest for vietcong

[airbrushken]

I'm an American Vietnam Veteran who moved to Australia in 1979. Our medic "Doc Cooley" was a conscientious objector and chose to serve. We were short on troopers, but he did his job.

[angloaust]

There was no need for conscription australia wasnt
Threatened just another civil war in asia!
Just send the sas there!

[stuartkcalvin]

What the Nation forgets or is not taught, that while there was conscription for Viet Nam, overseas service was on a volunteer basis. Nashos would only deploy IF they agreed to deploy. Such is the Australian character, that most Nashos agreed to deploy with their Regular Army mates. Any Nasho who didn't want to deploy, didn't have to deploy and there was no harm in doing so.

Doing a recruit course was character building. Whether at 1 RTB (still in existence), 2 RTB or 3RTB (both retired for recruit training).

My Dad was a Nasho in the late '50s, Taree Battalion, now 41 RSWR. He was a tough man and served in the machine gun company on The Vickers.


The William Whites of this world are free to object to whatever they'd like to do, but quoting from the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, "Duty First".