Arthur was an Absolutist Conscientious Objector who was living in Cheltenham at the time conscription was introduced in 1916. His older brother, Jack, was also a CO who took on Work of National Importance during the war. Arthur would have been one of the first groups of men to be conscripted under the Military Service Act 1916 as a 25 year old with no dependents.

Arthur’s Tribunal hearing where he first applied for exemption as a Conscientious Objector must have been early in the year, but the exact time and date is not known. We do know that by August he had gone through both the local and appeal Tribunals and had been finally turned over to the army. On the 30th of August 1916 Arthur was put through one of the first experiences any conscript would have with the army - a medical. For many COs this was also the first experience they would have of defying orders, either refusing to comply with the doctors or, as Arthur did, refusing to sign the medical forms.

These small acts of disobedience may seem petty, but they show an absolute refusal to go along with the military system. Refusing to sign the form could have landed Arthur in serious trouble, but instead he was sent to the army reserve after failing some parts of the medical. Though technically still in the army as a reservist, and therefore liable for call up at any time, Arthur had managed to stay a free man.

Unfortunately, this didn’t continue for long. As the war ground on, men who had been previously exempted, passed over or sent to the reserves were called up. By 1918 this would be referred to as “combing out”. Arthur was called up again in May 1917.

This time, the Army “accepted” Arthur, but he was much less ready to accept the Army. Soon after being transferred to the 4th Wiltshire regiment, Arthur was in trouble for disobeying orders - most likely to fall in on parade, or put on a military uniform. He faced a court martial on the 26th of June 1917 charged with 'When on active service disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer.' and was sentenced to 112 days in Wormwood Scrubs. At his court martial he refused to sign any documents on religious grounds, making a clear statement that he did not acknowledge the legitimacy of the military system.

At Wormwood Scrubs, Arthur went before the Central Tribunal and his case as a Conscientious Objector was heard on the 21st of August 1917. He must have made his case well as he was placed in “Class A” - acknowledged as a legitimate conscientious objector with a true and lasting opposition to war. Despite this acknowledgement, the Central Tribunal did not exempt him from military service, but instead recommended him for the Home Office Scheme (HoS). The HoS was set up to provide an alternative for the thousands of Conscientious Objectors rapidly filling up the prison system. On the Scheme they were told they would do useful work, but be guaranteed not to be forced into doing war work. Their conditions would be easier and they would be allowed a little more freedom.

In reality the scheme meant harsh conditions and punishing, backbreaking labour. COs at some camps were more fortunate than others, but Arthur was sent to Wakefield work centre with several hundred other COs. There were a variety of types of work at Wakefield but most were designed as pointless punishment for men whose only crime was refusing to kill another person. Arthur himself would suffer on the HoS, as his grand-niece, Dr Penny Christensen writes:
Jack said that Arthur was a conscientious objector during WWI and in prison for this in 3 different gaols possibly at Wakefield, Yorks and  Knutsford, Cheshire. At his last place he was working with lime (or was it salt?) which had given him big blisters all over his skin and which nearly ruined his sight. He was released on bail but had to have someone to sponsor him; elder brother Frank refused to co-sponsor him so Jack and a vicar did, and he went to live with Jack’s family at 109 Kitchener Road, Forest Gate for a while, while Jack’s wife nursed him.

Many COs on the Home Office Scheme suffered similar injuries and debilitating illness at the various work camps around the country. Despite his injuries, Arthur was still considered a soldier until finally in March 1920, he was demobilised and released from military service.

Information provided by Dr Penelope Christensen (Grand-daughter of Jack Thom)