From the archive: Freedom of conscience
Janet Scott considers how the Friend, in early 1916, reported on one of the most significant pieces of legislation passed during the war: the introduction of conscription.
In January 1916 the Military Service Act was passed and introduced conscription enlisting unmarried men aged between eighteen and forty-one in the regular forces for the duration of the war. The Friend published details of both the Bill (28 January) and the Act (18 February).
Some men, such as clergy and discharged soldiers and sailors, were excepted. Others were able to apply for exemption and tribunals were set up to deal with their cases. There were four grounds for claiming exemption.
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