13 Questions asked by the tribunal

Military service tribunals were required when a person requested exemption from military service. The tribunals recognised three types of conscientious objectors, ‘absolutists’, ‘alternativists’ and ‘non-combatants’. Absolutists were in total opposition to the war and refused to perform any task that would aid the war effort. Alternativists agreed to undertake compulsory work as long as it was not under direct military control. Non-combatants were prepared to join the military but they refused to be trained to use weapons. Military service tribunals rarely granted anyone unconditional exemption. The tribunal panels were usually unsympathetic to those wishing to be exempted on conscientious grounds. In many cases the requests were turned down and the conscript was handed over to the military. If the conscript still refused military service they could be court-martialled and sent to prison.