By Filip Clipperton

In 1914, two brothers from New Zealand took part in the battle of the Somme in France. What makes this story unusual was that one of the brothers was an enlisted soldier and the other was a conscientious objector. How did they end up in the same place at the same time?

Training to become a soldier.

In 1914, when the first World War broke out several men were needed. William, the older brother enlisted and was immediately taken to a training camp. After intensive training William was ready to fight but continued to train. Edmund on the other hand, refused to fight and spent his time being taken to different cells. Finally he was driven to the Auckland prison.

After training, William met soldiers Jerry and Jack and was taken on a train to Auckland to leave to England and then France. When in England William went through last hand instructions and in no time was on the ship to France that was guarded by something William never saw, battleships. William was quoted as saying”I have never seen such a thing.” Edmund however met other conscientious objectors that agreed with him that war is bad and after was also taken to France. There he was tortured with his hands tied up behind his neck to the post. Edmund groaned “The pain was unbelievable.”

A US Battleship.

William was soon taken to the battlefield with no more than a rifle and ammunition. A muddy and wet trench soon became his home. Edmund was asked again if he would obey an army order. After refusing he was placed in the ammunition dump with the fear of dying in pain if a shell hit nearby.

An ammunition dump near the battlefield.

William describes his adventure as both horrible and fun at the same time. The fun part was travelling and meeting nice people. On the other hand, the fighting was incredibly sad and horrible. William was reported as saying that he was so shocked when the young German died that he did not want to kill any more. The older brother does not recommend going to war. The younger one describes it as something he hopes to never see again. Even though he spent lots of time in cells he still explains that he would not obey any army order and would not go to war again.