Opposition To The Second World War
Conscience, Resistance And Service In Britain 1933–45
As war loomed again in Europe, many people in Britain, mindful of the horrors of the previous conflict, organised in opposition. While most young men were signing up to fight, others were signing a pledge:
“I renounce war, and
I will never support or sanction another.”
John Broom inherited a cache of family papers from his pacifist forebears, and used them to piece together the complex histories of the No More War Movement from 1921 and the Peace Pledge Union from 1934 until the end of the war.
Many pacifists changed their opinions when they appreciated the brutal reality of the Nazi opponents. Others did humanitarian work in Pacifist Service Units such as helping evacuees from bombed-out areas to resettle, or with the Friends’ Ambulance Unit in war zones. Some served as part of Non-Combatant Corps, who were in military service but not in roles where they were expected to kill. The most surprising part of the book concerns conscientious objectors in Sheffield who volunteered to undergo medical experiments such as being infected with parasites, or being denied water or vitamins to study the effects.
This excellent, well-referenced title will be a valuable tool for anyone with pacifist ancestors.