Oldham Historical Research Group

'THE GREAT WAR', 'THE WAR TO END WAR', 'WORLD WAR 1'
'What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
- Only the monstrous anger of the guns.'
from 'Anthem for Doomed Youth' by Wilfred Owen

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION IN WW1

Clarence Ashton

Chadderton Tribunal 13 March 1916
Reported Oldham Standard 18 March 1916

Appeared with brother Granville who withdrew his objection during the hearing.

Extract:
He said he could never take a life.
Suppose you were hit, would you hit back?
- Yes but I would not kill anyone.
Would you fight with the military if the country was invaded?
- I have an objection to killing. If I killed a man it would haunt me.

Sent for non combatant service

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Born Oldham 1 July 1893
Died Oldham 1 August 1979

1911 census:
45 Canal Street Bottoms, Hollinwood, Oldham
Single with parents
Occ. Mule fitter
Older sister Florence, a school teacher.

1939 census:
86 Albert Square, Chadderton
With wife Elizabeth
Occ. Joiner (case maker)

Contributed by Dorothy Bintley

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