Among Luton conscientious objectors maintaining defiance again military service in World War One was Bernard Bonner, son of painter and decorator Frederick Bonner and his wife Mary Ann, of 20 Park Road West, Luton. He was described as an International Bible Student.
Born in Luton in the summer of 1894, he was described in the 1911 Census as a jeweller's assistant but in his military enrolment papers was listed as a painter and paperhanger, probably working in the family business.
His military record shows he was enrolled into the Eastern Non-Combatant Company, based in England from April 11th to April 28th, 1916, and then transferred to the British Expeditionary Force in France from April 29th to June 29th, when he was transferred back to England.
The record shows he was found guilty by court martial on June 10th, 1916, for disobedience of an order and was sentenced to be shot dead. This was commuted to 10 years penal servitude.
Bernard's claims for exemption from military service in either combat or non-combatant roles were dismissed by a Tribunal and he then suffered a considerable amount of punishment, without effect. A letter from him was partly quoted in the House of Commons during a debate on the death penalties, on Monday, June 26th, 1916. The letter was written from the Field Punishment Barracks in Boulogne, France, on June 19th.
It read: "Just one more letter from Boulogne. It may be the last from this town, as we may be on a journey before another Monday. I hope you had a nice time, just a little better than my Easter and Whitsun holidays, but I must not grumble as I might have been in a worse condition.
"Please tell anyone who would like to write, as correspondence is most acceptable, and please do not forget to enclose every time an envelope and paper as we cannot buy in prison, and what little money we have is kept back from us.
"Things are moving very slowly. We 12 have been court martialled and four are on the way back to the homeland. They have received a very heavy sentence, as we all expected. They were 'read out' on the 15th inst, and the sentence was death, but commuted to 10 years penal servitude. Think of that for one's convictions!
"As I pointed out, we have not up to now been 'read out' but we expect it at any time, and quite as heavy, so do not be disappointed if I get the same.
"They have started on the way back, the same as we came, and we may be following very shortly. The other 23 conscientious objectors have also been court martialled and are awaiting to be 'read out'. Amongst these are seven other I.B.S.A. [International Bible Student Association] men, five I have already come into contact with. They are fine fellows, one older and four younger. We are now all together in one room, and our food has been changed since the time of the 28 days finished on the 8th inst, so conditions are a little better. All are keeping fairly well, one or two with colds etc.
"I expect my situation has caused many who did not think about me to enquire how I am, as it must have done all over the country, who thought that such could not happen.
"Please do not knock yourself up, but take things easy. I trust I may be able to partake of something out of the garden this season, though I may not have put much labour there for it. I expect things are looking nice, and I hope the weather will be better at home. This week has been quite nice here."
[The Luton News: Thursday, June 29th, 1916]