Some Conscientious Objectors never appeared before a Tribunal, but still showed their commitment to refusing to kill through adopting non-violent service during the war. Richard William Gifford, known as Dick, worked as a clerk in the iron and steel industry in Cardiff when War was declared in 1914. Aged 19 in 1915, he would have been called up as a Conscript a year later, but instead decided to attest under the Derby scheme - but registered his opposition to killing in war by attesting as a Non-Combatant.

By November 1915, he had joined the RAMC under a non-combatant guarantee, making sure that he would not be legally forced into taking up arms. After a period training in the Welsh Metropolitan War Hospital in Cardiff, he was transferred to France, and served in the 45th Field Ambulance Service. He would work overseas until the end of the war, eventually demobilised in February 1919.

Though awarded both the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, Dick was as much a Conscientious Objector as any Absolutist in prison. In volunteering to join the RAMC, Dick guaranteed that he would be dedicated to saving lives, and not be forced to take them, a refusal to participate in the murder of war.