What happened to conscientious objectors in ww2 NZ?

WWII saw 800 of New Zealand’s 5000 conscientious objectors labelled “military defaulters” who were then interned behind barbed wire in specially built camps in remote areas of the country. After release, they also were deprived of the right to vote for 10 years.

What did most conscientious objectors do during World War II?

They were medics who were in the Army but didn’t carry a gun. Second, those who objected to being the military served on the home front. About 20,000 objectors fought forest fires, built conservation projects in rural areas, or took care of the mentally ill in hospitals.

Who were some of New Zealand conscientious objectors?

Archibald Baxter is one of New Zealand’s best known conscientious objectors. The father of poet James K Baxter, and a writer in his own right, Archibald Baxter was one of the 14 conscientious objectors sent to the front to be made an example of.

How many conscientious objectors were there in NZ?

About 600 men declared conscientious objections, of whom around 286 were ultimately imprisoned in New Zealand as an example to other would-be objectors (others accepted non-combatant service or were exempt).

Who is a famous conscientious objector?

2. Desmond Doss. If ever there was an example more different from Sergeant York’s, it’s the story of Desmond Doss. Drafted as a medic during World War II, Doss was a devout Seventh Day Adventist.

How many conscientious objectors were there in New Zealand during WWI?

By the end of World War I, 273 conscientious objectors were held in prisons throughout New Zealand. Only 73 people had been offered exemptions. About 2600 lost their civil rights, including being denied voting rights for 10 years and being barred from working for any government or local bodies.

What was it like to be a conscientious objector in WW2?

Men in the Hautu detention camp for conscientiously objecting in 1943. Consciously objecting partaking in the World Wars was seen as a crime and many New Zealanders were arrested and punished for it. The shame is often carried down to family members today. Reporter GEORGIA WEAVER takes a look at what these objectors went through.

Who were the conscientious objectors deported to the front in 1917?

Conscientious objector Archibald Baxter was one of the 14 men deported to the front in 1917, and his memoir We Will Not Ceaseprovides a graphic account of his experiences. George Billings Auckland electrician George Billings refused military service on religious grounds and was imprisoned for two years as a result.

What are the best resources for learning about Maori conscientious objection?

NZHistory also has good overviews of Maori conscientious objection – Māori objection and Māori resistance to conscription. Covers the New Zealand Wars and Second World War as well as the First World War. Te Ara links to some primary sources, and gives some useful references and suggestions for further reading.