'Conchy', 1917 (c)

This ceramic figurine was manufactured by Birks, Rawlins and Company Limited at the Vine Pottery, Stoke on Trent. It is an example of 'Birks Grotesques', and shows a conscientious objector in civilian dress with his hands in his pockets, wearing a sports cap inscribed 'conchy'.

Following the introduction of conscription in 1916, over two million men were drafted into the forces. Around 16,000 men refused to fight, usually on religious or political grounds. While some took up alternative civilian work or entered the military in non-combatant roles, other conscientious objectors - known as 'absolutists' - refused to do any war-related work or obey military orders. Objectors of all kinds attracted considerable public stigma among their peers.