Belief and Action: Objecting to Conflict

Through the decades, generations have protested against conflict – from the Conscientious Objectors of World War One, to Campaigners for Nuclear Disarmament and the 2003 Stop the War rallies against the British invasion of Iraq. WCIA’s ‘Belief and Action’ project and exhibition between 2016-19, explored Wales’ heritage of resistance to war and in particular, the precedent set by Conscientious Objectors whose refusal to kill during WW1 established the right enjoyed by all of us today to voice opposition to state conflict. Over 2019-20 WCIA have worked closely with CND Cymru to digitise the ‘Heddwch Archives’, documenting anti-nuclear campaigning over 4 decades culminating in the 2017 Nuclear Ban Treaty coming into force from 2021.

Over 900 men from Wales objected to fighting in WW1 as a matter of conscience. The introduction of military conscription in 1916 led to conscientious objectors being imprisoned for their beliefs. WCIA's Belief and Action project was launched to mark the centenary of this, and to recognise the bravery of those who stood up against the state through creating a touring exhibition, and digitising the 'Pearce Register' of WW1 Conscientious Objectors.

Conscientious Objectors: from WW1 to Today

Every year, Conscientious Objectors Day is marked on 15 May, led by the Peace Pledge Union (PPU), and in Wales by Cymdeithas y Cymod. Explore the heritage behind this day of remembrance - and the digital stories created by schools and community groups about COs.

Conscientious Objectors Day, 15 May

Wales' Conscientious Objectors' Memorial is one of over 50 memorials in Wales' National Garden of Peace, remembering and celebrating the contribution of peacemakers past to the Wales of today.

Wales' Peace Garden: Conscientious Objectors' Memorial

The Temple has 2 memorials, in the Crypt and Peace Garden, to one of Wales' most high profile Conscientious Objectors, George M Ll Davies - who founded Cymdeithas y Cymod, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, and was a close ally of Temple founder David Davies

George M Ll Davies, founder of Cymdeithas y Cymod

The Belief and Action Exhibition from Wales for Peace, supported by Cymru'n Cofio / Wales Remembers 1914-18, is available for loan to community groups Wales-wide.

'Belief and Action' Touring Exhibition

This report records the activities delivered through WCIA's Belief and Action project and touring exhibition over 2016-18, funded by MALD (the Welsh Government Museums, Archives & Libraries Division) and Cymru'n Cofio

Belief and Action Project Record, 2016-19

Cyril Pearce, Honorary Research Fellow on ‘Legacies of War’ at the University of Leeds, has shared his meticulous life’s work in collating the ‘Pearce Register’ of WW1 objectors, for access by future researchers through WCIA's Peace Map.

The Pearce Register of WW1 Conscientious Objectors

Explore the 'big questions' behind belief and action... Is war ever justified? Is it cowardly to refuse to fight? Who do you believe? Should you always follow the beliefs of your friends, of your community? If you think your government is wrong - what do you do?

Learning Resources exploring Belief & Action

The 1923 Women's Peace Petition sought to galvanise the support of America to lead the League of Nations for 'LAW NOT WAR' in the settlement of future conflicts.

The 1923-24 Women's Peace Appeal to America

Over 1 million Welsh people participated in the 1935 Peace Ballot organised by the Welsh League of Nations Union, that sought to curb the European Arms Race that led to the outbreak of WW2

The 1935 Peace Ballot

CND Cymru – the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in Wales – are one of the nations’ longest standing grassroots community peace movements, active since the 1950s in galvanising public opinion for nuclear disarmament.

CND Cymru 'Heddwch' Archives