Selected excerpts from displayed pages are transcribed to give some idea of the perspective of the men at the camps.
Page 1
THE BEACON
FIRST ANNIVERSARY
LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE
October-November 1943
Page 2
MILESTONE NUMBER ONE
With this issue we celebrate our First Birthday. One year ago our thriving paper was born in the humble environments of a British Columbia Conchie Camp. The idea of a paper was brought forth from ambitious, energetic minds and published in the form of
the October, 1942 issue....
Let us together determine to face the future, and through this publication display the principles of peace and love toward mankind that they may ultimately convince the world that we have something in us which is the only way to enduring peace and a better
world of the future.
THE BEACON
Compile by Conscientious Objectors in the various Alternative Service Work Camps of the British Columbia Forest Service, and published monthly at A.S.W. Camp C-2, Lake Cowichan, B.C. The work in these camps consists of snag-falling, fire-fighting, road
construction, park improvement, tree-planting and supplying fuel for general consumption. The men work 48 hours weekly and receive 50c daily, board, and medical attention.
Page 3
YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE
To the Editor's desk comes a great variety of correspondence. It is really interesting to delve into some of it for what it contains. However, he has been caught unawares several times when receiving literature in the German language. Unfortunately, he
is too occupied to translate it himself, and his few German-speaking friends sometimes have difficult in gaming the full meaning from the contents. So may we ask that you do you corresponding in English if at all possible. We are sure your friends will
be happy to assist you if you are not in full command of the English. If you help us in this way, we will have little trouble in getting the thought of your letter and satisfying any requests you make.
Thank you -- Editor-in-Chief.
Page 4
OUR POLICY - CONSTITUTION
"The Paper is owned, operated, and controlled by A.S.W. men in the B.C.F.S. it is published as an inter-camp communication to further create a respectful understanding and common fellowship among us...
We want to make our Paper a sort of newsletter, too, for the folks back home, as they are immensely interested in our activities, and why not? We are their sons. We should also like to show our friends and acquaintances who are not in camp what we C.O.s
are doing to live up to our convictions. We want them to learn the nature of Alternative Service Work and come to know the sincerity of our convictions, our universal patriotism as expressed in our work.
Our Paper is an interdenominational publication. Equal voice will be given to the various religious groups...
We shall not make our Paper a platform for any political issues or discussion..."
OBJECTORS GET DUTIES WITH RCAMC
A recent arrangement with the Royal Canadian Medical Corps and Canadian Dental Corps allows conscientious objectors to undertake duties in a non-combatant division. They are to perform the regular duties of a soldier in these units, and will have similar
privileges. They will not be required to bear arms or do combatant duty. A good percentage of campers have made application, but will not all necessarily be accepted. They will serve either here or overseas... They will not be a separate unit, but will
work with others of the same service... The applicants feel that the service they will render here will be both educational and of value to humankind, and yet will not violate the principles of conscientious objectors.
