Anti Fascist or Pacifist?

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In the New Pioneer of September 1938 the front cover depicts the feature story, 'Hero in Spain', about volunteers to the International Brigade in Spain which many Woodcraft Folk members joined to fight Facists.

Henry 'Koodoo' Fair's letter from Lord Fenner Brockway, was written to act as evidence to prove Henry's comittment to Pacifism.   Brockway acknowledged his wife, Lilla Brockway, had the foresight "that those who intended to refuse military service should band themselves together" - founder of ‘No Conscription Fellowship’. n 1926, Brockway presided over the annual conference of the No More War Movement at Birmingham.

Henry argued that Woodcraft Folk should support the Pacifist cause during World War One, but in an epic debate, the 'Anti-Fascists' who wanted to fight Hitler and the 'Pacifists' who opposed any fighting within Woodcraft Folk Agreed to disagree.

Diane Fairfax chaired a re-enactment of the debate in 1985, as part of our sixty years celebrations (see photo):

"My Dad was a holocaust survivor who came in the kindertransport. He met my Mum in the Communist party which they were in until 1956 when Russia invaded Hungary, and then they joined the Labour party…All their friends in Bradford left and were looking for somewhere for their kids - Baroness Glenys Thornton was my Venturer Leader, and her parents ran it with my Mum and Dad."

How it became one of our 100 Objects

Lord Fenner Brockway's letter is a part of our Woodcraft Heritage Archive and came across researching 'Kindertransport' in which Henry 'Koodoo'Fair played a significant role rescuing 100s of children and finding them homes in Woodcraft Folk families.

Diane was interviewed as part of the project and sent images to us.

The Pioneer cover was an item that attracted much interest and debate during workshops at Camp 100.

Where can I find it?