Bristol University lecturer writes book about First World War conscientious objectors

A lecturer at Bristol University has written a book about the treatment of conscientious objectors during the First World War.

Lois Bibbings, a senior lecturer in law, provides an account of how these men - who opposed the war because of religious, moral and political beliefs - were perceived during the conflict.

Historically, conscientious objectors could be imprisoned or otherwise penalised when their beliefs led into conflict with the government.

Unsurprisingly, they were often deemed to be cowards, traitors, despicable criminals and degenerates.

However, they were also sometimes considered to be heroes and patriots — upstanding and intensely moral individuals.

Ms Bibbings explores the relationship between men, war, culture, patriotism and individual conscience by drawing on a range of materials and disciplines to produce this socio-cultural study.

Her sources include diaries, government papers, legal records, newspapers, magazines and novels, whilst the book is informed by writings from literary and gender studies, criminology, sociology, law and history.

She said: "We all know stories about the Great War but these tend to focus upon soldiers and warfare.

"What I wanted to do in this book was to explore the ways in which tales could be told about the men who refused to fight."

In 1916, the Military Service Act was introduced which included a 'conscience clause' that allowed people the right to refuse to join up if it went against their beliefs.

Those who claimed to be conscientious objectors had to face a tribunal to argue their case as to why they should not be called up to join the army.

She currently teaches Criminal Justice, Human Rights, Gender and the Law, and Socio-Legal Methods in the School of Law, as well as undertaking some teaching for the Centre for Ethics in Medicine at the University of Bristol.

The book, called Telling Tales is being published soon by Manchester University Press.