'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
Willie Tonge Chadderton Tribunal 7 July 1916 At Chadderton Tribunal yesterday … … A local pavior asked for exemption as he held life too sacred to be destroyed. The life he had had given to him should be lived according to God's commandment, "Love your neighbour as yourself." Peace, charity, and brotherhood man had been principles of his life. He never entered into any sort of sport where life was in danger. He would join the A F C, the Motor Transport, the Ordnance Corps, the Coastguards or work as a repairer of roads. He said he had been a conscientious objector all his life. He would rather heal than wound. He ws a Primitive Methodist local preacher. Sent to non combatant service with a recommendation that he be placed in the corps he desired. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ He has an entry on the Pearce List HERE. Extracted from Pearce List of conscientious Objectors: Tonge 16 June 1917 Enlisted at Ashton under Lyne ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Born Chadderton, 24 January 1888 1911 census 1939 register WO 363 page 29 - 'Record of Service Non-Combatant Corps'. WO 363 page 30 - 'Descriptive Report on Joining' and 'Information supplied by recruit'. WO 363 page 35 - 'Statement as to Disability' WO 363 page 40 - 'Regimental Conduct Sheet' |
Return
to :
If you can add to our information about any of the local Conscientious Objectors in WW1 we would love to hear from you.
Email 
If you have Oldham and District items that we can include on our website, PLEASE visit the information page to find out how you can help.
