Conscientious objectors WWII

[Nick29]

Hi
has anyone ever researched conscientious objectors in thier families, it is believed that my Grandfather was in the second world war.

he was 30 when the war broke out and was never in the armed forces - im just wondering if any information exists anywhere which may help to answer this mystery -
now its possible he was medically unfit to fight, but given his history of being a member of the co-operative movement, and attending quaker meetings - im tempted to believe this..

we have no supporting documents at all - any pointers would be gratefully recieved.

Info:
Claude Draper
Born 1908
East Grinstead

thanks

Beth

There were other reasons than medical and religious beliefs that would stop someone being called up.  Thousands of men (my grandfather included) were not called up because they were in "Reserved Occupations".  Lots of people think of doctors and other highly skilled professions when this is mentioned, but the list was far wider.  My grandfather was a labourer in the local Gas Company, and because this job was vital to the nation and too physically demanding to be done by a woman, he wasn't called up.  Actually, I think he was too old anyway, but if he'd been younger, he wouldn't have been called to serve.

[Fitzjohn]

Very many thanks for the PPU website info.

My father (who features on my avatar) was a CO in WWII, and wrote an account of his experiences called "What did you do in the War, Daddy?", named after the famous poster.

At one point he had it published on the net - and I have a copy - but this post has led me to discover that the site which published it now no longer seems to exist.  So I have mailed the PPU site to see whether they would be interested in the details.

Actually, Arthur Pay is still on the web, in at least three places.  Here is what seems to be the original posting:

http://timewitnesses.org/english/~arthurp.html

There is an offer of a link to a longer version, but it does not work.

This publication will by no means diminish the interest of the PPU, which is interested in all CO stories.  See, for example, the exchanges on another thread about George Benson, an imprisoned WW1 CO who went on to become an MP and a knight of the realm.

[Dancing Master]

The Conscientious Objectors came from many walks of life. andwere given the option to work in the hospitals and  other parts of the service to their country without atually fighting the enemy.

There was the problem of the "white feathers" to contend with, usually sent to wives and parents.

[IgorStrav]

Thank you very much indeed, Fitzjohn, for finding the reference to my father Arthur Pay - you can see it's the same man from the photo!

As you say, the site with the long version of the story doesn't now seem to exist, and I feel that I must ensure what he wrote is still published somewhere or other.

I'm looking forward to hearing from the PPU.