Royal Leamington Spa Courier and Warwickshire Standard - Warwick and Country Edition page 4/col 1 (bottom)

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Subject

Conscientious Objectors - Law courts

Description

Warwick Borough Police Court . Conscientious objector Joe Wily Illingworth of the Settlement (Warwick Gaol) charged with having made statements at The Stag and Oak Inn intended or likely to prejudice recruiting, training, discipline or administration of any of HM Forces intended or likely to cause disaffection to His Majesty or to interfere with success of HM Forces. Pleaded not guilty. He said he joined in a conversation. Reported that he said: "I didn't make the war. Why should I fight? The masses of the country are uneducated. They need enlightenment on this war. Why should I fight and die while the top dogs stay home and get 6% interest, which the masses have to pay, and the soldiers pay in blood. Think of it - blood! We have no war with Germany and they are not our enemies. Let France fight her own battles. If the Germans were here, we should be no worse off." Prisoner said that not all the evidence given was true. Sentenced to 2 months' hard labour