Reflection: why stories

Philip Austin of Northern Friend Peace Board reflects on the importance of remembering the stories of conscience objectors

For a significant part of its first 40 or so years, conscription and conscientious objection were key features in the work of Northern Friends Peace Board (NFPB), a Quaker body for which I'm the Coordinator. NFPB was founded in 1913 and gave support and advice to those facing conscription during both World Wars, and in the post-WWII period.

Some of those who had taken a stand and refused to fight also played an active role in our work at different times. It has been moving and powerful to hear their stories over the years. Each person had their own experiences as an objector: some were 'absolutists' and served prison sentences, whilst others undertook alternative service, from forestry and farm work to being part of the Friends Ambulance Unit. Still others volunteered to take part in medical tests and experiments.

Behind these facts and statistics are stories of people who had to articulate their beliefs under great scrutiny, facing criticism and perhaps significant alienation from wider society. Just as people who fought in wars continue to be affected by those experiences for the rest of their lives, it is clear that conscientious objectors and their families also carry with them the impact of that period of their lives. For some, the spirit of resolve and grim determination continued to be manifest, driving further peace activism for years to come. Others continued to wrestle with the moral dilemmas they faced. One CO told me on one occasion about his brother who died whilst serving in Navy. "Which brother made the right choice?" he asked.

As with peace activism since – from early days of nuclear disarmament campaigning, to opposition to the invasion of Iraq, and more recent witness for peace in the Middle East – the strength of feeling, growth in understanding, and commitment to another way, and the bonds of solidarity formed by taking action with others…these are the ripples that move out from the intense periods of witness and action.

In NFPB workshops we sometimes have an exercise where participants are invited to reflect on their formative experiences or times of change. They are then asked how these have shaped their approaches to peace today. Whilst as individuals we may feel our bit of peace witness is small, hearing the different stories reminds me of the strands and threads that make up a much bigger whole, as we learn from one another’s stories and insights and find ways of creating new peace paths. 

Thankful for what has been done before and hopeful for what can be done now and in the future.

• Philip Austin, September 2024