Sidcot students re-enact trial
Sidcot School students re-enact the court martial of a prominent Quaker conscientious objector
History has been brought to life by students at Sidcot School in a dramatic re-enactment of the court martial of a prominent Quaker conscientious objector in world war one. At a special assembly, held to commemorate International Conscientious Objectors Day on 15 May, students were involved in the re-enactment of the court martial of Corder Catchpool.
Corder Cathpool was educated at Sidcot and, despite receiving a medal for voluntary service with the Quaker Friends Ambulance Unit (FAU), was imprisoned for refusing to join-up when compulsory conscription was introduced in 1916.
Ross Wallis, the grandson of Corder Catchpool, has taught at Sidcot School for over thirty years.
He said: ‘It was a privilege to honour the memory of my grandfather. At a time when those who refused to fight were labelled as cowards, I believe that his stand was pretty much the bravest thing anyone could do.
‘To one who was seriously driven, who desperately wanted to serve, the decision to face prison, or even death by firing squad, was extraordinary.’
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