In early 1916, an act of parliament, known
as the Military Service Act, automatically drafted all single men between the
ages of 18-41 into the army reserves, ready to be conscripted into the army or
navy. However, as was to be expected, this was not popular with everyone. Many
citizens still wanted to avoid being called up even as conscription was
introduced, and this law gave several provisions for exemption from service.
Most famously was conscientious objection, which allowed an applicant to be
excused from military service on moral grounds, usually religious or political;
those belonging to non-conformist church groups and leftist political groups
were the most likely to apply for this exemption. Given Wales’ position at the
outbreak of war as both a stronghold of non-conformism (groups such as
Baptists, Congregationalists and Christadelphians all had large followings) and
leftist political tradition (the Labour Party had been founded, and was at its
strongest, in South Wales), it is understandable that a disproportionate amount
of the 16,500 objectors nationwide hailed from Wales[1].
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Indeed, in Aberystwyth, several
residents made attempts to avoid conscription through conscientious objection,
and their cases were brought before a tribunal made up of local religious
figures, military men and people of good repute within the community; this was
largely typical through Britain. The transcripts of these meetings were often
recorded in the Cambrian News; their pro-war angle suggests this was in many
cases an attempt to humiliate those who were applying for said status.
Nevertheless, it tells us a lot about the path locals went through to try and
avoid conscription. [
One
notable conscientious objector from Aberystwyth was Thomas Parry-Williams. In
1908, he became the first Aberystwyth University graduate to receive a
first-class honours studying Welsh, and he went on to study at several other
institutions, including Oxford, becoming well known for his poetry, much of it
written in Welsh. In 1914, he returned to Aberystwyth, this time as a lecturer,
and began to write poetry for several publications, such as Y Deyrmas, which has been described as
‘the nerve centre for the general anti-war movements in Wales’[3];
Y Wawr, otherwise known as The Dawn, which also had a significant
anti-war tint; and The Dragon, the main English language
student magazine at Aberystwyth University at the time.
 |
| Thomas Parry-Williams, pictured after WW1 |
When conscription was
introduced, he was exempted as a conscientious objector following two hearings
in his town of residence Pwllheli. Initially he was exempted, before being
reviewed, and once more getting exempted status. Once he had achieved his exemption through these
two tribunals, his criticism of both the war and conscription intensified, most
notably so in his piece To a Dog,
published in The Dragon in 1917[4].
The poem subtly outlines his dissatisfaction with those who have shunned him,
and his desire to be isolated from them, preferring to spend his time amongst
dogs[5]. In
an earlier poem, titled Christmas 1916,
he writes a scathing indictment of the general public’s nerve to sing of peace
in Christmas carols, when they have been baying for war for so long[6].
The North Wales Chronicle, above, reports on Parry-Williams' second exemption in an
article that goes on to describe the exchange between Lieutenant Davies and Dr
Parry-Williams as thus: 'However important your position at the college and
however indispensable your services there, you are not entitled to conditional
exemption in view of the present demand for men in the army, and that you are
only 28 years of age. In answer to Lieut. Davies, Dr. Williams stated that he
had already suffered on account of his conscientious objection. Some people had
made an effort to deprive him of his occupation. Lieut. Davies: But you
suffered no financial loss? Dr. Williams: Oh, no. I don't attach much
importance to money. Conditional exemption was granted.[7]
Following this, he became a very private
man until his marriage in 1942. The key figures in this attack were the local
bishop, John Owen, and several friends and family of his rival for the post,
Timothy Lewis. As Parry-Williams had previously been a Christian man, and was
very integrated into the university community, it is easy to see why the town’s
animosity clearly had a big impact
on him. [8] The ordeal also showed how the jingoistic town held
significant sway over the more liberal university, who were initially happy to
appoint Parry-Williams[9].
Christmas 1916
A mischievous spirit, in madcap mood,
Frolicked today through the neighbourhood.
As he neared my door, on the Morn of the Birth
I could hear his chuckling and sniggering mirth.
He spat his sarcasm through the hole, -
‘On earth, Peace!’ and away he stole.
Above: Parry-Williams' Christmas 1916. This poem was a scathing indictment of those
who would send young men off to war yet sing of peace in Christmas carols.
It is important, however, not to overstate the scale of conscientious objection by believing that these sort of stories were particularly common. Throughout Wales, there were 810 identifiable conscientious objectors who achieved exemption, only 0.33% of the population; within Cardiganshire (now Ceredigion), there was only 31. As such it is easy to overestimate the impact they had on British society, and Aberystwyth in specific, especially given the impact they have had on the WW1 historiography.
 |
| An example of the application for exemption letter that would need to be filled out to avoid being conscripted after the Military Service Act of 1916. The reason this person, Robert Rees, desired exemption was twofold, as many applications were; both a religious conscientious objection, and a worry that if his mother and sister were left to care for themselves they would suffer. He writes as his explanation ‘Having taken the oath of alliegence to abide to the lord Jesus Christ and his gospel, I feel it quite impossible to undertake service in the furtherance of War. My religious convictions as such that leave War-under all circumstances-to be opposed to Christianity. I am compelled not to enlist as it as it means the taking of the military oath. I may also add that I am the only son left of a widow (my only brother being already in Military Service). Both my Mother and Sister are entirely dependant upon me. In the face of clauses F (conscientious objection) and D (economic hardship to others) of the military act of 1916 I therefore claim exemption. |
However, they do tell us quite a lot about the prominent individuals who applied for this status, and about the jingoistic people who reacted negatively about this exemption being granted. For example, the exempted Parry-Williams’ potential appointment to a professorship created a scandal that brought reactions of both support and outrage, which affected the university, the town, and most chiefly Parry-Williams himself. In this sense, although there were very few conscientious objectors, the impact they had on society was disproportionate to their small numbers.
Blog by Nathan Davies, Aberforward Project Assistant
Blog by Nathan Davies, Aberforward Project Assistant
[2]
Rae, John. Conscience and Politics, (Oxford
University Press, 1970), p.80
[3]
Morgan, Kenneth. ‘Peace Movements in Wales, 1899-1945’, Welsh History Review, vol.10, (1980-81), p.411
[5] The Dragon, June 1917, p.179
[6] The Dragon, March 1916, p.109
[7] The North Wales Chronicle, 23 March 1917
[8]
Robert Rees’ exemption application, National Library of Wales
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