How to find conscientious objector records
Researcher
Tue Oct 07 2025
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< 5 minutes read
When men were called up to serve in the First and Second World Wars, not everyone took up arms. Some refused on the grounds of their conscience. Guided by religious convictions, political principles or personal beliefs, these individuals were known as conscientious objectors. Online genealogy records can help to tell their stories.
Who were conscientious objectors during the World Wars?
Introduction during the First World War
Conscientious objection became a legal option in Britain during the First World War, following the introduction of the Military Service Act, which introduced conscription in 1916.
Men who applied for exemption from combat had to present their case before a local tribunal. Some agreed to contribute to the war effort in non-combatant roles – such as ambulance work or agricultural labour – while others refused all military service, often at great personal cost.
Conscientious objection during the Second World War
During the Second World War, similar tribunals were established, although public attitudes were sometimes less hostile than during the First World War. Still, conscientious objectors often faced suspicion, stigma, and even imprisonment.
The impact of refusing conscription in the 20th century
From Quakers whose religion forbids them to take another life to pacifists campaigning for an end to the fighting, conscientious objectors came from all walks of life. As they stood before tribunal panels, their decisions not only shaped their own futures but also affected their families' reputations in the community.
During the First World War, around 100 objectors were imprisoned - some faced harsh conditions and solitary confinement. During the Second World War, this figure rose to around 6,000. Many conscientious objectors were assigned to alternative service roles or service with the Non-Combatant Corps.
Where can I find conscientious objectors' military records online?
Do you suspect that your ancestor was a conscientious objector? Perhaps you've noticed an absence of military service while tracing an ancestor or have heard stories passed down through the generations of your family.
Conscientious objector records can be tricky to locate. In 1921, the Ministry of Health decided that all national service exemption records and tribunal minute books should be destroyed. Only fragments of these resources remain.
Many of the remaining records have been digitised and can be accessed online, on family history websites like Findmypast.
Genealogy records
To trace the story of your ancestor's conscientious objection, search his name within broad military collections. When narrowing your search down, keep an eye out for the following record types:
- Military tribunals. While many were destroyed, some military tribunal documents survive. Findmypast holds World War 1 military tribunals for Middlesex, Surrey, Hampshire and Northamptonshire. Other central tribunal records are held by The National Archives.
- Court records and prison registers. If your ancestor served prison time, his name may appear in online court or prison records.
Newspaper reports
Historical newspapers may be able to add depth and detail to your ancestor's story.
If your relative's name doesn't appear within reports from the time, you'll still be able to find stories about conscientious objectors from both the First and Second World Wars. In the 1910s, war propaganda and nationalist sentiment was reflected in the press's hostility to objectors.
You may find objectors described in derogatory terms like 'shirkers' and 'traitors'. Exploring national titles from the period allows you to trace the evolution of conscientious objection in Britain and place your family story against the wider backdrop of history.
What do conscientious objector records contain?
Depending on the record set, you might find:
- Applications for exemption or appeals, including personal statements of belief, within tribunal papers
- Employment details, with information on alternative service such as farm work or hospital duty
- Court sentences, if an objector was imprisoned for refusing orders or sentenced to hard labour
- The names and details of conscientious objectors, within lists of those granted or refused exemption
These records go beyond basic facts, often revealing a rare glimpse into an ancestor's inner convictions, political views, or religious faith. They can explain why an ancestor's wartime story looks different - why he never wore a uniform, and why family whispers tell of prison or 'farm service'.
Conscientious objectors left a powerful legacy. Their records allow you to delve deeper into the moral debates of wartime Britain and understand the resilience it took to stand apart in a world at war.