Local Memoirs

Conscientious objector

John Oddie, from Orkney, recalls his experiences as a conscientious objector. Conscientious objectors in the UK numbered approximately 60,000 during the Second World War. Before being allowed to register as conscientious objectors however, these individuals had to submit a written statement of their objection and subsequently attend a local tribunal. Tribunals were composed of a cross-section of people with the chairman nearly always being from the legal profession. Each hearing lasted approximately 15 minutes. John Oddie had to attend two tribunals before he was able to register: the first in Inverness and the second, what was termed an"appeal tribunal",in Edinburgh.


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Rationing

Click on the ration book to hear Mrs. Joey Norn, a housewife in Orkney during the Second World War, describe her experiences of rationing.