
Conchie
What my Father didn't do in the war
Gethin Russell-Jones(Author)
Lion Books (Publisher)
Published on 18. March 2016
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-0-7459-6854-4 (ISBN)
Description
What did you do in the war, daddy?' It's a classic question - and maybe one that expected the answer to be stories of brave attacks on enemy lines, pressing forward against overwhelming odds. But to Gethin Russell-Jones, the question was not one to ask - he knew what his father had done and, growing up, would have summed his father's contribution to the war effort under one word: 'Nothing.' As a conscientious objector, and despite the fact that his fiancA (c)e was cracking German codes at Bletchley during the Second World War, John Russell-Jones exhibited a different kind of courage to that shown by most of his peers. Convinced that Christ's teaching forbade him to take the life of another, he faced ignominy, insults, and opposition, from the state, his friends, and even his own family. As an adult, Gethin decided it was time to look for the man his father had been, and to see if he could regain respect for him. And as he finds out what led his father to the decision he made, he discovers a man he never really knew - one who was prepared to suffer for an unpopular and unfashionable belief, and who exhibited a different kind of courage in doing so.
Reviews / Votes
This is a searingly honest account of a son's efforts to comprehend his father's decision to be a conscientious objector rather than fight in the Second World War. He offers reasons not excuses,gives insights not alibis, details his own youthful embarrassment rather than pride,and shows deep respect for the courage of resolute conviction rather than exhibiting unconditional love. Because of that candour,readers will be left with greater understanding of "a different kind of courage" - and they might join me in having strengthened confidence in a rational system which wages war to defeat evil and,in doing that,protects the right of individuals to believe that it is wrong to fight and kill. The test of civilisation is,after all,not in the treatment of consenting majorities but in the toleration shown to non-conforming minorities -- Lord Neil Kinnock 'A fascinating insight into 1930s Welsh chapel culture, which formed the background to a decision to register as a conscientious objector in World War 2. It recreates another - and often neglected world - on the page as one reads.' -- Martyn WhittockMore details
Edition
New edition
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
SPCK Publishing
Edition type
New edition
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 130 mm
Width: 196 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
258 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7459-6854-4 (9780745968544)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
03/2016
Lion Books
€14.49
Available for download
Person
Gethin Russell Jones combines being a Baptist Pastor with a prolific writing career, and is a columnist for the Plain Truth and IDEA magazine. He has written several books.
Content
Contents
Family Tree 8
Chapter 1: War Child 9
Chapter 2: Conchie 12
Chapter 3: A Good Year for Diaries 25
Chapter 4: Strong Mothers 34
Chapter 5: Hovel Fit for a King 44
Chapter 6: I Was in School with Him 57
Chapter 7: John the Baptist 71
Chapter 8: 1936 and the Rise of Nationalism 85
Chapter 9: 1938, a Year of Preparation 97
Chapter 10: Sunday 1 September 1939 110
Chapter 11: 1939, Cardiff 9050 117
Chapter 12: 1940, Air Raid Warden 129
Chapter 13: An Appointment in London 143
Chapter 14: Let Me Now Be God's Soldier 159
Chapter 15: 1943, a Badly Chewed Suit 171
Chapter 16: 1944, a Love Letter to Piety 186
Chapter 17: Today I Had a Long Discussion with a Young Lady About
Pacifism and Christianity 196
Chapter 18: 1944, a Deep-Rooted Problem 205
Chapter 19: Not Fit for Human Occupation 212
Chapter 20: A Strange Courage 223
Notes 233
Family Tree 8
Chapter 1: War Child 9
Chapter 2: Conchie 12
Chapter 3: A Good Year for Diaries 25
Chapter 4: Strong Mothers 34
Chapter 5: Hovel Fit for a King 44
Chapter 6: I Was in School with Him 57
Chapter 7: John the Baptist 71
Chapter 8: 1936 and the Rise of Nationalism 85
Chapter 9: 1938, a Year of Preparation 97
Chapter 10: Sunday 1 September 1939 110
Chapter 11: 1939, Cardiff 9050 117
Chapter 12: 1940, Air Raid Warden 129
Chapter 13: An Appointment in London 143
Chapter 14: Let Me Now Be God's Soldier 159
Chapter 15: 1943, a Badly Chewed Suit 171
Chapter 16: 1944, a Love Letter to Piety 186
Chapter 17: Today I Had a Long Discussion with a Young Lady About
Pacifism and Christianity 196
Chapter 18: 1944, a Deep-Rooted Problem 205
Chapter 19: Not Fit for Human Occupation 212
Chapter 20: A Strange Courage 223
Notes 233