"Conchie": Alternative Service

Conscientious Objectors

War is wrong. Killing is wrong. We will not participate in war.

WHAT IS A "CONCHIE"?

In both the First and Second World Wars, young men from across Canada were expected to serve in the military and to fight overseas. While Canada’s efforts in both wars began as an entirely voluntary endeavour, the high losses suffered by those fighting abroad necessitated the imposition of conscription in both wars. But what of those who believed, due to religious, spiritual, or personal reasons, that fighting in war was immoral? Conscientious objectors, or “conchies”, to war and violence have existed for thousands of years, often the victims of persecution and violence for their beliefs.

In Canada, conscientious objectors have been officially recognised in one form or another since 1793. Among “conchies” the most common reason for their beliefs were religious. Numerous religious sects, most notably Mennonites, Quakers, and Seventh-Day Adventists, applied for and received official recognition from the Government as conscientious objectors, exempting them from military service.

FIRST WORLD WAR

In 1917, the Military Service Act implemented conscription in Canada. While the law had exemptions for conscientious objectors, each man was forced to argue his case in front of a local tribunal. While many peaceful sects had been officially recognised by the Government, many members still found it difficult to prove their right to object to the tribunal. Those who objected to fighting but did not belong to one of the recognised sects had a far more difficult time convincing the tribunals, who often considered conscientious objection an act of cowardice. If an individual still refused to serve when their claim had been denied, they faced trial by military tribunal, and a potential prison term. More than 100 such individuals were still behind bars in January 1919.

An aged document form, filled in with blue typescript. — Stanley Brubacher Notice to Appeal

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This document confirmed that the request of Stanley Brubacher, an Ontario Mennonite who had requested exemption from military service during the First World War due to his religious beliefs, was approved. Please find transcription below.
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An aged document, with blue ink. — J.B. Martin Certificate of Protection

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This card served as confirmation of Jesse B. Martin's military exemption. It was officially called a "Certificate of Protection" and is transcribed below.
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SECOND WORLD WAR

During the Second World War, conscription was again introduced in Canada in 1940. The issue of conscientious objectors was raised; in this war, “conchies” would need to serve in some form or another. As the established pacifist churches objected to military service of any kind, an Alternative Service program was established. Under this program, men from the various pacifist denominations worked in agriculture, on infrastructure projects, in forestry, and in many other sectors of the economy. Several “conchie camps” were established across the country. Many men from Ontario found themselves in work camps in British Columbia for much of the war, away from their families and friends.

From 1939 to 1945, more than 262,000 military-aged males avoided being conscripted into the Canadian armed forces. In all, the 10,782 men who successfully applied for conscientious objector status made up only 4% of this total. The vast majority of those who stayed out of military service during the war did so because they were employed in what the Government considered to be “vital industries”. While conscientious objectors were often the subject of discrimination and were branded as cowards, they served their country by working in the very same “vital industries.” Conchies working in Alternate Service Camps worked predominantly in agriculture, industry and other fields which ensured that Canada had the food, resources and industrial goods necessary to wage war. Many were forced to leave their families to work in a faraway place, just like those in uniform. Their contribution to the war effort and eventual victory was also vital.