'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
Alfred Charlesworth Oldham Tribunal 8 March 1916 There was a crowd of sympathising friends and relatives with the young conscientious objectors at the evening sitting of the Tribunal. They heard the discussion and at times applauded their side and at the last, in reply to Captain Almond's bluff summing-up of the position of the conscientious objector, and his straight question as to what they would do had England been Belgium and Belgium England, began a little debate, stopped by the Mayor … … Alfred Charlesworth of 248 Copster Hill-road, Oldham, cotton operative, claimed exemption because he held human life to be sacred and therefore could not assist or take any part in the war. He was absolutely opposed to the spirit of militarism. War is the abnegation of all that is best in man, futile in its effects and the greatest crime against humanity. He would not assist in any way, combatant or non-combatant (striking the table). The last remark was in reply to Alderman Middleton and Councillor Schofield told him that he ought to give a civil answer to a civil question, particularly when asked by a man older than himself. Charlesworth is a member of the No Conscription Fellowship but not of any religious body. But he added: It doesn't say that if I don't go to church I don't believe in Scripture. I believe in certain parts of the Bible. Sent for non combatant service. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Manchester Appeal Tribunal 30 March 1916 The South-east Lancashire Appeal Tribunal sitting in two sections at the Town Hall, Manchester on Thursday afternoon heard appeals for total exemption from service made by a number of young men from Oldham … … Alfred Charlesworth of 248 Copsterhill-road wrote that as war aimed at the destruction of human life he could not aid in it. War is the abnegation of all that is best in man. He said to the Tribunal that he would go on his own course. Chairman: Oh, yes, but don't threaten us. That has no effect on me if I think what I do is right. We are not a political party here and nothing to be frightened at. Charlesworth was sent to non-combatant service and told there was no appeal. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Oldham Police Court 19 April 1916 Two conscientious objectors named Frank Rodgers (25 years) 123 Crompton-street, Oldham and Alfred Charlesworth (20 years) 248 Copsterhill-road, Oldham were charged at the Oldham Police Court to-day (Wednesday) with having failed to present themselves at the Swan Hotel on Tuesday morning under the Military Service Act. The Chief Constable pointed out that the magistrates were bound to impose a penalty of not less than 40s and not more than £25. In answer to the clerk (Mr Hesketh Booth) Rodgers, who until a few weeks ago was the deputy clerk to the Oldham Insurance Committee, said he did not propose to mke any answer to the charge at present. Rodgers again said he wanted legal assistance before he made any statement. He was fined 40s and handed over to the care of Sergeant-major Bailey. Charlesworth raised the same point about legal assistance. He wanted to be remanded to get legal advice. He was in the same position as Rodgers. The Chairman: Then the verdict will be the same, 40s and handed over to the care of Sergeant-major Bailey. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Manchester Appeals Tribunal 10 January 1917 Alfred Charlesworth, cotton operative of Copster Hill-road, Oldham, a conscientious objector, was before the Appeals Tribunal at Manchester presided over by Judge Mellor KC on Wednesday afternoon. He was there because of an appeal by the military representative for the Oldham district, presented on the ground that he had not fulfilled the conditions laid down by the Tribunal that he must get work of national importance and stick at it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Oldham Police Court 22 May 1918 Alfred Charlesworth (22) of Copster Hill-road, who had appealed as a conscientious objector, was charged at the Oldham Borough Police Court to-day, Wednesday, with being an absentee under the Military Service Act. The Chief Constable explained that the prisoner should have reported on the 13th inst. And he was afterwards warned to present himself two days later but had failed to do so. The accused told the magistrates that two years ago he proved that he was a genuine conscientious objector and declared that he was a victim of the maladministration of the Military Service Act. Fined 40s and handed over to a military escort. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The WO 363 records for Alfred Charlesworth survive (held at The National Archives, available online via Find My Past): 17 April 1916 Called up. Enlisted at Ashton under Lyne Barracks 1-4 Western Company , Non Combatant Corps. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ He has an entry on the Pearce List HERE. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Born Oldham, 18 September 1895 1911 census 1939 register Contributed by Dorothy Bintley |
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