Devizes Quakers honour the bravery and sacrifice of millions of men who believed they were defending their country’s freedom. Many young Quakers also joined up in 1914 feeling the cause to be just or to bring the war to an early close.

Many others became conscientious objectors when conscription began. Nine million soldiers and as many civilians died in a war that escalated beyond their imagining but their sacrifice was for nothing if there is little attempt to prevent war in the future.

War has never solved any problem, violence begets violence and only a tenuous cessation of hostility can be gained. Quakers know from their peace work around the world that conflicts can be resolved non-violently.

Quaker led organisation Responding to Conflict trains local peace workers involved in conflict who have then succeeded in bringing peace to their regions. A conflict has at its heart a problem which can be solved by putting heads together, communicating and negotiating.

We call on our government to focus not on militarising our youth but on setting up new institutions which will find answers to the problems, focusing on human security, not military threat. We hope that the Centenary will be a time for reflection and resolve among people to put an end to war. Would this not be the most fitting tribute to the sacrifice of those young men 100 years ago?

Jean Thomson, Clerk , Devizes Quaker Meeting.