Derby’s annual peace week event in September will this year showcase the story of a First World War conscientious objector from Burton upon Trent, called Vale Rawlings.
The story – called ‘Against The National Interest’ – is being taken to Derby Museum, on Sunday afternoon September 20th, by Elaine Pritchard of the Vale Rawlings Project CIC, which raises money for YMCA Burton and SARAC by retelling his story in different ways.
Elaine explained: “I covered some of Vale’s journey as a conscientious objector in my book ‘Friendship, Love & Truth’ which was published at the start of the year with all profits being split between the two charities.
“But thanks to Vale’s descendants I was allowed to see many original letters and documents written by, and about, Vale, which couldn’t all fit in the book. Included were letters written by Vale while he was locked in the Guard Room at Lichfield and later at Ripon awaiting a court martial for refusing to follow orders.
“I wanted to bring the letters to life in a more engaging way than me simply delivering a talk, so I have recruited three actors to join me for the afternoon and they will read out the original letters, reports and articles giving the story a dramatic, performative element.”
Elaine added: “The letters give an insight into the war time propaganda that turned conscientious objectors into objects of mass public hatred. ‘Against The National Interest’ also asks the question, were other forces at work when it came to Vale’s war time fate? Had his community activism and improvements he’d secured to the pay and conditions of Burton’s working people made him powerful enemies?”
Vale was only four ft 11ins and suffered from a congenital heart condition and severe rheumatism. It seems doubtful that he should ever have been conscripted. The minimum height to serve officially never dropped below five ft 2ins.
Tickets for the performance in September are strictly limited and can be bought at https://derbymuseums.org/event/against-the-national-interest-with-elaine-pritchard
One of the organisers of Derby Peace Week has already made his own donation to both YMCA Burton and SARAC, after hearing about the project, and the charities will receive money from ticket sales. Elaine will also be selling copies of her book about Vale at the event and limited edition postcards of Vale from 1914 will be on sale.