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0:00:08 > 0:00:10- On Remembrance Sunday...
0:00:10 > 0:00:15- ..welcome to a special edition - of Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20- # Soli Deo gloria
0:00:20 > 0:00:25- # Soli Deo gloria
0:00:27 > 0:00:33- # Soli Deo gloria #
0:00:47 > 0:00:49- On this programme, - I'm joined by Aled Eirug.
0:00:50 > 0:00:55- He'll pay tribute to those, because - of their faith and convictions...
0:00:55 > 0:01:00- ..who couldn't join the armed forces - - the conscientious objectors.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05- There were lots of people who, - because of their faith...
0:01:05 > 0:01:08- ..refused to accept - the state's authority.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12- There'll also be a performance - from the John S Davies Singers.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32- The Senedd in Cardiff Bay...
0:01:32 > 0:01:37- ..is the first place to exhibit the - handmade Weeping Window sculpture...
0:01:37 > 0:01:41- ..by artist Paul Cummins - and designer Tom Piper...
0:01:41 > 0:01:44- ..to mark the centenary - of World War I.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47- Our singing - comes from Alltwen chapel.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50- We'll start with - O Dywysog Ein Tangnefedd...
0:01:51 > 0:01:53- ..Cyfaill Mwya'r Ddaear Hon.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- Aled Eirug has done research - for a PhD thesis...
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- ..on conscientious objectors - during World War I.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18- His grandfather was one of them.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23- His father was also a conscientious - objector during World War II.
0:04:27 > 0:04:33- Conscientious objectors were people - who'd refused to join the Army...
0:04:33 > 0:04:39- ..after conscription was introduced - in January 1916.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43- The term used to describe - these people was conchies.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47- They were known as conchies - in everyday speech.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51- They opposed on religious grounds - in the main.
0:04:51 > 0:04:56- They not only included individuals - from traditional denominations...
0:04:56 > 0:05:00- ..like the Independents, Baptists - and Methodists...
0:05:00 > 0:05:04- ..but there were also - Christadelphians, who...
0:05:04 > 0:05:09- ..because of their faith, refused to - accept the state's authority.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13- There was also the political side.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16- People opposed because of socialism.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20- They'd then be court martialled.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25- They'd be initially jailed - for around three months.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30- After being released from jail, - they'd go before another tribunal...
0:05:30 > 0:05:34- ..and they'd be jailed for - a longer period - up to a year.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38- Some people, - Emrys Hughes for example...
0:05:38 > 0:05:42- ..were jailed six times - during the war.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44- He spent three years in jail.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52- Only a few chapels - supported conscientious objectors...
0:05:52 > 0:05:56- ..and hardly any churches.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59- But there are chapels - that were prominent...
0:05:59 > 0:06:03- ..in their support - for those who opposed the war...
0:06:03 > 0:06:08- ..especially in areas influenced - by the Independent Labour Party.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- In places - like Merthyr and Briton Ferry...
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- ..the ILP's influence was great.
0:06:15 > 0:06:20- Some chapels - were vocal in their opposition.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- Why were some chapels and churches - supportive?
0:06:26 > 0:06:31- They were spellbound by Lloyd George - and John Williams, Brynsiencyn...
0:06:31 > 0:06:36- ..who quickly realized that if the - chapels didn't support the war...
0:06:37 > 0:06:41- ..the government would find it hard - to attract men into the army.
0:06:42 > 0:06:47- By September 1914, people like - John Williams and Lloyd George...
0:06:48 > 0:06:52- ..went around the country - trying to persuade people to join.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56- They were very successful - during the first year of the war.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58- The problem arose...
0:06:59 > 0:07:04- ..when enthusiasm for the war - waned in 1916.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- You mentioned - Merthyr and Briton Ferry.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11- Were there other areas - strongly opposed?
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- Yes. The Swansea Valley to - an extent. The Gwendraeth Valley.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20- The Rhymney Valley too on the border - between Glamorgan and Gwent.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22- It's important to remember...
0:07:23 > 0:07:27- ..that men weren't expected - to join the army in these areas...
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- ..because most - worked in an industry...
0:07:30 > 0:07:35- ..where people weren't expected - to leave, namely coal mining.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- Next, a performance - by the John S Davies Singers...
0:09:41 > 0:09:44- ..of Locus Iste by Anton Bruckner.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46- This piece was composed...
0:09:46 > 0:09:50- ..for the opening of - the new cathedral in Linz, Austria.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54- "This place was made by God. - It is profoundly sacred."
0:09:56 > 0:10:02- # Locus iste
0:10:03 > 0:10:08- # A Deo factus est
0:10:09 > 0:10:15- # Locus iste
0:10:16 > 0:10:22- # A Deo factus est
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- # A Deo
0:10:28 > 0:10:34- # Deo factus est
0:10:35 > 0:10:49- # Inaestimabile sacramentum
0:10:50 > 0:11:03- # Inaestimabile sacramentum
0:11:05 > 0:11:10- # Irreprehensibilis est
0:11:11 > 0:11:17- # Irreprehensibilis est
0:11:17 > 0:11:24- # Irreprehensibilis est
0:11:24 > 0:11:33- # Irreprehensibilis est
0:11:34 > 0:11:41- # Locus iste
0:11:42 > 0:11:48- # A Deo factus est
0:11:48 > 0:11:55- # Locus iste
0:11:55 > 0:12:01- # A Deo factus est
0:12:02 > 0:12:06- # A Deo
0:12:06 > 0:12:21- # Deo, Deo
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- # A Deo
0:12:27 > 0:12:46- # Deo factus est #
0:13:05 > 0:13:09- Aled, let's hear about some - of the interesting characters...
0:13:09 > 0:13:11- ..who took a stand after 1916.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15- There are many well-known Welshmen - among them.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17- There were.
0:13:17 > 0:13:22- It's very apt that we're talking - in this hall, the Temple of Peace.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- It was founded by Lord Davies, - Llandinam.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31- This place was intended - to be a clear attestation...
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- ..in favour of peace over war.
0:13:37 > 0:13:43- There were many well-known Welshmen, - such as poets.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- Gwenallt and T H Parry Williams.
0:13:46 > 0:13:52- George M Ll Davies - was a key figure...
0:13:52 > 0:13:55- ..in the campaign against the war.
0:13:55 > 0:14:00- There were also many men who - later became Members of Parliament.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- Prominent public figures.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07- People like Emrys Hughes, - Keir Hardie's son-in-law.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11- Lord Maelor, T W Jones, - and his brother, J W Jones.
0:14:12 > 0:14:18- Both became MPs for Meirioneth - and the Wrexham area.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23- So there was substance to these men.
0:14:23 > 0:14:29- They were men who'd opposed the war - for principled reasons.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- Did they influence ordinary people?
0:14:33 > 0:14:35- Did they influence ordinary people?- - Not much during this period.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- They were all quite young.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42- They were all between 18 and 35.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- But they were men of substance...
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- ..who became prominent - public figures in Wales...
0:14:50 > 0:14:54- ..during the '20s, '30s, '40s - and beyond.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57- Your grandfather opposed the war.
0:14:57 > 0:14:58- Your grandfather opposed the war.- - He did.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02- He was a student - at Bala-Bangor college.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04- He was one of 21 men...
0:15:05 > 0:15:09- ..who appeared - before a tribunal in 1916...
0:15:10 > 0:15:13- ..pleading - as a conscientious objector.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17- In Bangor, I think around - 35 theological students...
0:15:17 > 0:15:20- ..were conscientious objectors.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24- That reflected - the influence of Thomas Rees...
0:15:24 > 0:15:26- ..the principal of Bala-Bangor.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- He was an influential figure.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- He was the editor of Y Deyrnas...
0:15:32 > 0:15:36- ..the only newspaper founded - in Britain to oppose the war.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- It was first published in 1916.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41- You've done a PhD on the subject.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43- You've done a PhD on the subject.- - It's what ignited my interest.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- Looking at the history...
0:15:46 > 0:15:52- ..and searching for - the personal stories of these men...
0:15:52 > 0:15:55- ..has been very interesting.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- I hope it will be very interesting - for other people.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10- There's a story - from the Cardiganshire tribunal...
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- ..about a boy - from a farm outside Llangrannog...
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- ..appealing against - having to join the army.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- The father goes with the son - to the tribunal...
0:16:20 > 0:16:22- ..to plead his case.
0:16:23 > 0:16:29- The tribunal decide that one - of the farmer's two sons has to go.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- They let the farmer choose - which one.
0:16:33 > 0:16:38- The farmer goes home - and was later found hanged...
0:16:38 > 0:16:40- ..to save his son.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- Aled Eirug, - thank you for joining me.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14- Pacifists have always experienced - difficulties.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- They talk about peace...
0:20:18 > 0:20:22- ..pray for peace, wish for peace...
0:20:22 > 0:20:27- ..but also take action, - create, campaign...
0:20:27 > 0:20:31- ..and completely reject - violence and oppression.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36- We thank the pacifists - in our world today.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44- We finish this programme...
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- ..with a hymn that's probably - an entreaty for us all.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52- It's Eifion Wyn's gospel of peace, - published during World War I.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55- "Efengyl tangnefedd, - o rhed dros y byd...
0:20:55 > 0:20:59- "..a deled y bobloedd - i'th lewyrch i gyd."
0:20:59 > 0:21:01- From us all, goodbye.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:33 > 0:23:33- .