Isaac Hall arrived in England from Jamaica in May 1914, shortly before Britain declared war on Germany. Realising that a time of war may not be a good time for a 35-year-old Negro to be in England, he tried but failed to find a passage back to Jamaica as the military was commandeering all the ships. Unsurprisingly Isaac found it difficult to find employment though clearly skilled, he did secure work building counters for Lyons Corner House restaurants chain and was able to turn his hand to work in the theatre.

Differing interpretations of military law and social attitudes meant that black volunteers in Britain in the early rush to the recruiting office met with mixed responses from recruiting officers and were often prevented from enlisting when conscription came into law in March 1916. Ironically a few months later, in September, Isaac was arrested as an absentee. He argued that he assumed that he would be excluded because of his colour and so made no formal application for exemption. To his surprise, he was fined and handed over to the army. At Hounslow barracks home of the Royal Fusiliers, he explained that he was a conscientious objector and refused to obey orders. Whether it was because he was a conscientious objector or black, he was subject to unusually (though not unheard of) brutal treatment. Refusing to march, he was dragged around the parade ground, lying face down, until he lost consciousness. On 16 October 1916, he was court-martialled for disobedience where he said, “I have a moral objection to all wars, I would sacrifice my rights rather than fight” and received six months imprisonment with hard labour to be served in Wormwood Scrubs Prison.

Men claiming conscientious objection had a right to appeal, and on22 January 1917 at the Central Tribunal, Isaac was found to be a genuine conscientious objector and offered work in the Home Office Scheme as an alternative to the army or prison. Like many other absolutists, he refused to participate in the scheme and remained in prison. At the end of his prison sentence, he was returned to the army where once again he refused to obey orders was court-martial and sentenced to a further two years hard labour in Pentonville prison.

While in Pentonville, he was further punished by a visiting magistrate for refusing to perform some tasks he believed were in aid of the military – sewing kitbags for soldiers. The prison regime, punishment, solitary confinement, and the poor diet took its toll on a previously large and fit man, and his health deteriorated to the extent that concern was expressed about it in parliament.

Joan Fry, who regularly visit conscientious objectors in Pentonville, became aware of Isaac’s protests and ill-treatment. With the support of independent Labour Party and anti-war activist and doctor Alfred, Sadler a campaign to free him was launched. Questions were asked in Parliament, including from Colonel Josiah Wedgwood, who defended the right of conscientious objectors despite his own military service in the war.

Sir G. CAVE I have made inquiry with regard to this prisoner’s health and find that since his admission to hospital, three weeks ago, he has improved and is now quite well.
17 January 1918 vol 101 cc477

Six months after the Armistice, Isaac was still in prison, in poor health and in the prison hospital. Finally, in May 1919, Alfred Salter was able to secure Isaac’s release and give him shelter in his home until he recovered and returned to Jamaica.

Isaac was opposed to the war on moral, pacifist grounds but also politically, asserting a Pan-African, anti-imperialist stance as evident in the Tribunal report.

Extract from statement:
"I am a negro of the African race born in Jamaica. My country is divided up amongst the European powers, now fighting against each other who, in turn, have oppressed my fellow men. The allies of Great Britain - Portugal and Belgium, have been amongst the worst oppressors and now that Belgium is invaded. I am about to be compelled to defend her."

“As a people the negroes are the last among men taken into consideration in this country, although we are regarded as British... I am not given ordinary privileges as a citizen... I have tried to obtain work and I have been refused solely because of my colour.”