Not A BRHG Event
‘Degrees of Conscience’ (Catharina Clement) The story of three tribunals, Rochester, Chatham and Gillingham in North Kent, and how they treated their conscientious objectors. Rochester, despite its Conservative and ex-military mayor, was very tolerant of the conscientious objectors and granted most of them exemption. Chatham and Gillingham on the other hand had Liberal mayors, but were much harsher towards their conscientious objectors. This talk will discuss why there was this huge difference […]
Not A BRHG Event
‘So British Mormons were also Conscientious Objectors in WWI?’ There were four British Latter Day Saint conscientious objectors (COs) in World War I, three Mormon (LDS), and one Reorganised LDS (RLDS) - now known as Community of Christ. They were among 20,000 COs in the UK, and little known compared with Quaker or socialist COs. They also suffered hostility from neighbours and workmates. Unlike Quakers, Latter Days Saints were violent in their early history, although Community of Christ later […]
Not A BRHG Event
Two critical presentations about the role of India, East Africa, Nigeria and the West Indies in WWI, including colonialism and recruitment, the impacts of war and our ongoing culture of war followed by discussion. Cultural Representations of World War One and other wars: how colonies are kept invisible. Presented by Kooj Chuhan Colonial realities of WWI: uncovering the involvement and experience of peoples from British colonies Presented by Dipali Das and Ruth Tait The Great War of 1914 -1918 is […]
Not A BRHG Event
Shot At Dawn campaign This unique session brings together a number of the campaigners who worked to get the men executed for military offences during the First World War pardoned in 2006. The National Union of Journalists' Shot at Dawn Campaign banner will also be on display. Speakers: Janet Booth, granddaughter of Private Harry Farr, whose life ended while tied to a post, without blindfold, shot to death by his fellow soldiers, branded a coward despite having been diagnosed with and treated for […]
New Limbs For Old …when the country was crying for men and I left a good job to join the soldiers, but now when I am a maimed and not fit for manual labour, this country has no further use for us. These are the words of disgruntled ex-serviceman, Thomas Kelly, a private in the Gordon Highlanders; a man who returned from the First World War in receipt of a 100% disability pension, after having both of his legs amputated above the knee. Kelly’s situation was not unique, but one that was shared by […]
Not A BRHG Event
A Hundred Years Of Opposition To War Speakers - Lindsey German (Stop the War Coalition) and Daniel Blaney (CND)
Not A BRHG Event
‘A Colour Chart for Killing’ Jude Hutchen, the artist behind one of the festival exhibitions, A Colour Chart for Killing, talks about her work and art and war resistance. Her exhibition is showing in Bristol Central Library, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TL 1 April – 3 May. ‘The Art of Recovery’ Al Johnson is a sculptor, and director of Art for Bravo 22 a programme for recovery through the arts. Al will talk about her role and the development of The Art of Recovery a sculpture project for wounded, […]
Not A BRHG Event
Shot at Dawn. Evolution of a Memorial Andy De Comyn (the public artist behind the Shot at Dawn Memorial) looks at the concept and creation of the Shot at Dawn memorial. He explains how the idea evolved beyond being a simple commemoration to a forgotten group of men. Revisiting the Fallen in Ireland, 1918-2018 Mary Muldowney of East Wall History Group, Dublin, discusses how Irish commemoration of World War 1 has changed in 100 years, through the lens of war memorials. Her paper will also examine […]
Not A BRHG Event
A reading of the play 'England, Arise!' a drama telling the story of Arthur Gardiner's refusal to fight in the First World War on political grounds, inspired by and drawing on Cyril Pearce's book 'Comrades In Conscience'. Performed by Mick Martin and Cyril Pearce and followed by a Q&A with writer/director Mick Martin (www.bentarchitect.co.uk) and Cyril Pearce.
Not A BRHG Event
War tax resisters Robin Brookes and Diana Warner talk about their campaign, with Lois Bibbings . They explain that we all pay for war through our taxes. Since 1916 conscientious objectors (COs) have had the right to refuse military service, often doing some alternative service for society such as farming or war victim relief. Citizens are no longer conscripted to fight, but are made to pay for deliberate killing through their taxes. They ask - isn't it high time that COs have the right to divert […]
