Oldham Historical Research Group

'THE GREAT WAR',     'THE WAR TO END WAR',     'WORLD WAR 1'
'What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
- Only the monstrous anger of the guns.'
                                                                                                  
from 'Anthem for Doomed Youth' by Wilfred Owen

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION IN WW1

Alfred Charlesworth

Oldham Tribunal 8 March 1916
Reported Oldham Chronicle 11 March 1916

There was a crowd of sympathising friends and relatives with the young conscientious objectors at the evening sitting of the Tribunal. They heard the discussion and at times applauded their side and at the last, in reply to Captain Almond's bluff summing-up of the position of the conscientious objector, and his straight question as to what they would do had England been Belgium and Belgium England, began a little debate, stopped by the Mayor …

Alfred Charlesworth of 248 Copster Hill-road, Oldham, cotton operative, claimed exemption because he held human life to be sacred and therefore could not assist or take any part in the war. He was absolutely opposed to the spirit of militarism. War is the abnegation of all that is best in man, futile in its effects and the greatest crime against humanity. He would not assist in any way, combatant or non-combatant (striking the table). The last remark was in reply to Alderman Middleton and Councillor Schofield told him that he ought to give a civil answer to a civil question, particularly when asked by a man older than himself.

Charlesworth is a member of the No Conscription Fellowship but not of any religious body. But he added: It doesn't say that if I don't go to church I don't believe in Scripture. I believe in certain parts of the Bible.
Captain Almond: All right; Keep cool, don't get heated.

Sent for non combatant service.

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Manchester Appeal Tribunal 30 March 1916
Reported Oldham Chronicle 1 April 1916

The South-east Lancashire Appeal Tribunal sitting in two sections at the Town Hall, Manchester on Thursday afternoon heard appeals for total exemption from service made by a number of young men from Oldham …

Alfred Charlesworth of 248 Copsterhill-road wrote that as war aimed at the destruction of human life he could not aid in it. War is the abnegation of all that is best in man. He said to the Tribunal that he would go on his own course.

Chairman: Oh, yes, but don't threaten us. That has no effect on me if I think what I do is right. We are not a political party here and nothing to be frightened at.

Charlesworth was sent to non-combatant service and told there was no appeal.

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Oldham Police Court 19 April 1916
Reported Oldham Chronicle 19 April 1916

Two conscientious objectors named Frank Rodgers (25 years) 123 Crompton-street, Oldham and Alfred Charlesworth (20 years) 248 Copsterhill-road, Oldham were charged at the Oldham Police Court to-day (Wednesday) with having failed to present themselves at the Swan Hotel on Tuesday morning under the Military Service Act. The Chief Constable pointed out that the magistrates were bound to impose a penalty of not less than 40s and not more than £25.

In answer to the clerk (Mr Hesketh Booth) Rodgers, who until a few weeks ago was the deputy clerk to the Oldham Insurance Committee, said he did not propose to mke any answer to the charge at present.
Mr Booth: Then you do not admit it?
- I don't wish to prejudice the case by making any statement.
Don't you admit you are an army absentee?
- I don't admit anything at the moment but I want legal assistance.
Sergeant-major Bailey said he was going to notify the military authorities at Ashton in order to get an escort.
Mr Booth: In the meantime who is going to look after him?
- I wish him to be handed over to the police.
Mr Booth: I don't think the police have any right to detain him.
- I have no accommodation for him at the Swan Hotel.
Mr Booth: The War Office ought to make arrangements according to the instructions on the warrant.

Rodgers again said he wanted legal assistance before he made any statement.
Mr Derbyshire (Magistrate): Why didn't you ask for legal assistance before to-day?
- I was unaware I could have it.
In answer to Mr Booth he said he had appealed against the tribunal's decision to place him in non combatant service, but without success.
Mr Booth told him that the magistrates could not interfere with what the tribunal had done.
The Chairman (Mr Houghton) asked Sergeant-major Bailey whether he would be prepared to see Rodgers conveyed to the proper quarters in the event of the magistrates deciding to hand him over and Sergeant-major Bailey replied in the affirmative.

He was fined 40s and handed over to the care of Sergeant-major Bailey.

Charlesworth raised the same point about legal assistance. He wanted to be remanded to get legal advice. He was in the same position as Rodgers.

The Chairman: Then the verdict will be the same, 40s and handed over to the care of Sergeant-major Bailey.

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Manchester Appeals Tribunal 10 January 1917
Reported Oldham Chronicle 11 January 1917

Alfred Charlesworth, cotton operative of Copster Hill-road, Oldham, a conscientious objector, was before the Appeals Tribunal at Manchester presided over by Judge Mellor KC on Wednesday afternoon. He was there because of an appeal by the military representative for the Oldham district, presented on the ground that he had not fulfilled the conditions laid down by the Tribunal that he must get work of national importance and stick at it.
He was working on a farm but left on December 9th after which he got work with a Liverpool firm, by which time the notice of appeal had been sent in. Having obtained another appointment without seeking the approval of the Appeals Tribunal or without any communication with the Labour Exchange, Charlesworth was sent to non combatant service.

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Oldham Police Court 22 May 1918
Reported Oldham Chronicle 22 May 1918

Alfred Charlesworth (22) of Copster Hill-road, who had appealed as a conscientious objector, was charged at the Oldham Borough Police Court to-day, Wednesday, with being an absentee under the Military Service Act. The Chief Constable explained that the prisoner should have reported on the 13th inst. And he was afterwards warned to present himself two days later but had failed to do so. The accused told the magistrates that two years ago he proved that he was a genuine conscientious objector and declared that he was a victim of the maladministration of the Military Service Act.

Fined 40s and handed over to a military escort.

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The WO 363 records for Alfred Charlesworth survive (held at The National Archives, available online via Find My Past):

17 April 1916 Called up. Enlisted at Ashton under Lyne Barracks 1-4 Western Company , Non Combatant Corps.
Service number 803. 5 ft 5 ins 9 sts 6 lbs.
20 April 1916 Arrived at Kinmel Camp, disobeyed orders
5 May 1916 Court martial, 2 years with hard labour at Wormwood Scrubs
7 August 1916 Released from Wormwood Scrubs, having been irregularly enlisted
Sent on furlough
22 September 1916 Accepted work on the Home Office Scheme and transferred to the Army Reserve

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He has an entry on the Pearce List HERE.
The Pearce List of over 17500 WW1 Conscientious Objectors can be found on the Imperial War Museum's website HERE

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Born Oldham, 18 September 1895
Died Not found

1911 census
248 Copsterhill Road, Oldham
Single with parents and siblings
Occ: Cotton mill piecer

1939 register
30 Ainsworth Road, Radcliffe, Lancashire
With wife Hilda and possibly one child redacted.
Occ: Shopkeeper, greengrocer

Contributed by Dorothy Bintley

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