The Right to Refuse
This project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund under their First World War – Then and Now programme researched and recorded the history of conscientious objectors (CO’s) from Sussex and recognised the dedication and courage of all those who lived and fought during the War and acknowledged the reasoning, punishment and impact on those who exercised the ‘right to refuse’. A large number of those recorded as refusing the call to fight did so on religious grounds, and many CO’s still carried out work of national importance such as farming, and some were sent to the Front as stretcher bearers. Refusing to fight might have been a stigma to friends or family, but some of these men had very important non combatant roles.
Students from Newlands School in Seaford and local volunteers, investigated archives, diaries and other historical papers to explore the history, impact and treatment of conscientious objectors and the alternative roles they played during the War.