Conscientious Objectors of the Second World War

“Drawing on extensive primary sources, Kramer describes the inter-war peace movement that gave birth to many conscientious objectors” ( Military History Monthly ). Even today, most histories of the world wars focus on those who fought. Those who refused to do so are often overlooked. It is perhaps only recently that their bravery and extraordinary principles are being recognized. In the First World War, 16,000 men in Britain became the first ever conscientious objectors, and were reviled and bru