Professor of Law interviewed about conscientious objectors, 100 years after The Military Service Act was passed

The Military Service Act meant anyone who objected to the war had to apply for an exemption to conscription. Library of Congress

Press release issued: 11 March 2016

This week marked the anniversary of the passing of the act that introduced conscription into the UK in 1916. Professor Lois Bibbings was interviewed by ITV West as an expert commentator on conscientious objectors. The interview focused on the letters that revealed their untold stories.

1916 saw the world at the height of war. Millions of young men were in the trenches - and their letters and poems help tell the story of the conflict. That same year, on March 2, 1916, parliament passed the Military Service Act. Some people protested, but it was signed into law, and not going to war became a privilege, not a right.

More than two million British men were drafted into the army through conscription, but one man from Bristol was among those who refused - William Gould voluntarily went to prison rather than going to France support the war.

He thought that it was absolutely wrong for the working classes in various countries to be sent off to shoot one another, for somebody else's benefit.

– PETER GOULD, SON

Men who felt they had a conscientious objection to serving in the military would apply to a tribunal for an exemption. A panel would assess whether the applicant had a genuinely held opinion - and they have a mixed reputation in terms of the level of justice or injustice they actually provided.

Some of the reports of tribunal hearings certainly suggest that at least some of the members had very fixed views as to objectors. You sometimes have statements that very clearly show that a particular member was going to refuse any level of exemption to any conscientious objector.

– PROF LOIS BIBBINGS, UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL

Source: ITV West

Further information

Lois has written about violence, sexuality and the body as well as widening participation policy. An interest in men, masculinities and history is reflected in her work on conscientious objectors to military service. This was the subject of her first monograph Telling Tales About Men: Conceptions of Conscientious Objectors to Military Service During the First World War.

Her current research focuses upon the First World War and Edwardian period.

Visit the ITV West website to read the complete article and watch Professor Bibbings' interview.