On 15 May, descendants of more than 30 First World War conscientious objectors will take part in this year’s International Conscientious Objectors’ Day commemoration in Tavistock Square, London.
One of the speakers on 15 May, Mary Dobbing, took part last year in the women’s peace delegation which visited the Afghan Peace Volunteers in Kabul. She also campaigns for justice for Palestinians in the footsteps of her CO grandfather, a Quaker teacher in the Middle East at the time of the 1948 Nakba.
Women war resisters will not be forgotten. Emma Anthony, a member of staff at the Fellowship of Reconciliation, will represent her great great grandmother, who went to international women’s congress in the Hague in 1915; and Catherine Marshall, campaigning genius behind the No Conscription Fellowship, will also be remembered.