Papers relating to conscientious objection to military service

Not all members of Australian society supported Australia's involvement in the First World War; some were morally opposed to fighting in war. John J Jarman of Kingston in the south-east stated his opposition in his Application for exemption from military service on the ground of conscientious objection: In answer to the question: State precisely on what grounds you base your objections to bearing arms, he responded:

I object because my conscience which is my judge tells me that it is wrong to carry arms to destroy human life, to prepare for war, to assist in war in any shape or form, or to go near any battlefield for whatsoever purpose.

Jarman provided supporting documentation from community members who acknowledged his statement of conscience, but the Commonwealth Government's Local Exemption Court at Kingston refused this application.

This item is from the papers of the Jarman family of Kingston, South East.

John Jones Jarman born Rhayader, Radnorshire, Wales 14 December 1847. Arrived S.A. 4 February 1869 on 'Hugh Fortescue', and lived at Naracoorte. Returned to England in 1876 and married Annie Goodwin in Shrewsbury. Returned to S.A. and lived at Kingston where he set up a business as merchant and building contractor as J.J. Jarman, Universal Provider and Importer. Was a founder of Kingston Wesleyan Church in 1881. Father of four sons and three surviving daughters. J.J. Jarman was councillor of Lacepede Council and chairman twice. The Jarman business had a branch at Naracoorte. Members of family visited England in 1886, 1911, 1924 and 1929. J.J. Jarman died in 1920 and his wife died in 1923. Family retained interest in business until sold to Eudunda Farmers' Cooperative Society in 1954.

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