Percy Bainton was one of the “Cardiff Guard Room NCF” Conscientious Objectors, Absolutist COs who formed a branch of the No-Conscription Fellowship while under guard in Cardiff Barracks. He had applied as a Conscientious Objector to the Newport Tribunal in early 1916, on the grounds that his religious faith did not permit him to commit any act of violence. Percy’s application for absolute exemption was rejected, and instead he was granted exempt from Combatant Service Only, making him eligible for call up into the Non-Combatant Corps. For Percy and thousands of others, being a soldier, even a non-combatant soldier, was morally unacceptable and he refused, leading to an arrest, trial and fine, before being sent to the Army under guard. At the Cardiff Drill Hall in May 1916, he met other Absolutist COs, and together they formed a guard-room branch of the No-Conscription Fellowship. Smuggling a letter to the NCF chairman, their actions inspired hundreds of other men around the country to do the same, and soon, guard-room NCF branches became a source of mutual support and advice for COs in the hands of the military. The letter read:

“Hope to smuggle you just a word. Escorted to roller rink, Cardiff, on Monday Evening. No supper, no beds. Slept on floor. Tuesday morning, no breakfast. Taken before major and asked to sign rations form, refused. Asked to see doctor and sign papers, refused. Threat by Major of death penalty, or anything less court martial shall determine. All orders disobeyed. Still no food. After 24 hours fast asked again to sign rations form or send out for food. Refused to do either. Victory at last! Bread and cheese for supper. Delicious beyond words! Blankets!! Salmon for breakfast!!! Wild excitement. Flag flying cheerfully. Concerts on guard-room floor a speciality. Soldiers learning the “Red Flag”. Whatever lies before us we can face it.”

All the signatories were Absolutist COs like Percy, and together they resisted all attempts to make them compromise with military authority. Percy’s brave stand brought inevitably severe consequences and on the 31st of May 1916 he was sentenced to two years in prison. After serving seven months, he accepted the Home Office Scheme and was transferred to “Army Reserve Class W”, making him eligable for work on the scheme. Transferred to Dartmoor in mid 1917, he would likely work there for the rest of the war.