Thurcaston & Cropston Local History Society

Conscientious Objectors and the Peace Campaign in Leicestershire

At the last meeting of the Thurcaston and Cropston local history society, we were privileged to listen to a talk on Conscientious Objectors and the Peace Campaign in Leicestershire given by Jess Jenkins, supported by her husband Robin.

Jess has a particular interest in the history of protest. She is also the author of ‘The Burning Question: the Struggle for Women’s Suffrage in Leicestershire’ and of “Nursing in Serbia with Lady Paget in 1915”, an account of Flora Scott, a Leicester nurse, who volunteered overseas during the First World War.

Jess began her talk by referring to the fact that some religious leaders, from 1908, headed up protests against Britain engaging in World War I, but others encouraged the recruiting of supporters, including a Dr Freeman who ‘demolished with sledge hammer blows’ government members such as Ramsey Macdonald who were opposed to the war. Jess also praised Emmeline Pankhurst and others who said that militant women had the right to go out and fight. Yet despite public opposition to war, there were anti-German riots across Britain before war was officially declared on Germany on 4 August 1914.

1915 saw a big recruitment campaign launched by the army but it wasn’t until 1916 that British men were conscripted into the armed forces, despite opposition. There was a national movement against conscription which included the prominent voices of Leicestershire locals Joseph Poole, Frederick Floode, Charles Kitchen, Edwin Walker and many more Christians, who insisted that human life was sacred. An anti-war fellowship was set up in Leicester, which eventually led to mob violence and many of those who refused to serve were imprisoned, some not being released until 1919, despite the Armistice of 11 November 1918 finally bringing fighting to an end.

Of particular interest were Jess’ stories of local Leicestershire men who were either conscripted or imprisoned because they refused to serve in the armed forces. Her talk engaged us all.

The Society meets again on 16th May for a return visit from Mick Rawle, who will tell us all about the interesting history of Melton Mowbray.

www.thurcastoncropstonhistory.org.uk