WHY?
Amongst the many stories about the 1914-1918 war little can be found outside academic circles or specialised literature about the men and women who objected to that war or those who, at considerable cost, refused to be conscripted into the armed forces and spent many years in jail. The project will focus on these people and how they responded to the challenge of a society apparently enthusiastic for war and later grieving at its consequences.

WHAT?
The project's aim is to stimulate and support research into conscientious objection to military service during WW1 by people of all ages; to help collect and collate diverse related material; create a publicly available database of this research and use it (as well as our existing material) to produce easily available and widely publicised resources for public and educational use.

We will produce an interpretative audio-visual exhibition based around the commemorative plaque for WW1 conscientious objectors who died as a result of their objection and exploring the experience of WW1 cos in general.

A expanded virtual version of the exhibition will also be available online on a dedicated web site telling the stories of WW1 conscientious objectors and their families and supporters.

A related aim is to promote and support a network of people interested in history and research in this area in particular and who are willing to help with cataloguing and promoting the fruits of their research. To work in partnership with Local History libraries and local history groups, the University of the Third Age and others. We aim to provide appropriate training, facilitate meetings for researchers to compare notes, co ordinate research, plan future activity and engage with the wider community by offering talks to community groups, associations and schools.

If you are intersested in participating or helping in any way let as know or see here

Refusing to Kill follows the story of conscientious objectors through the First WorldWar. From the moment they received call-up papers to the day they were released from prisons, army units and work camps they faced personal dilemmas, violence, humiliation and hardship. But they were admired by many.

Original letters, court-martial statements, diaries, documents and poetry bring their dramatic story of resistance to life. Ideal material for History, Citizenship and English at Key Stages 3 and 4.
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