What did you do in the war, daddy?' It's a classic question - and maybe one that expected the answer to be stories of brave attacks on enemy lines, pressing forward against overwhelming odds. But to Gethin Russell-Jones, the question was not one to ask - he knew what his father had done and, growing up, would have summed his father's contribution to the war effort under one word: 'Nothing.' As a conscientious objector, and despite the fact that his fiancA (c)e was cracking German codes at Bletchley during the Second World War, John Russell-Jones exhibited a different kind of courage to that shown by most of his peers. Convinced that Christ's teaching forbade him to take the life of another, he faced ignominy, insults, and opposition, from the state, his friends, and even his own family. As an adult, Gethin decided it was time to look for the man his father had been, and to see if he could regain respect for him. And as he finds out what led his father to the decision he made, he discovers a man he never really knew - one who was prepared to suffer for an unpopular and unfashionable belief, and who exhibited a different kind of courage in doing so.

Gethin Russell-Jones tries to understand more about his late father - a conscientious objector - and discovers a man he never really new - one who was prepared to suffer for an unpopular and unfashionable belief, and who exhibited a different kind of courage in doing so.

About the Author
Gethin Russell Jones combines being a Baptist Pastor with a prolific writing career, and is a columnist for the Plain Truth and IDEA magazine. He has written several books.

Reviews
This is a searingly honest account of a son's efforts to comprehend his father's decision to be a conscientious objector rather than fight in the Second World War. He offers reasons not excuses,gives insights not alibis, details his own youthful embarrassment rather than pride,and shows deep respect for the courage of resolute conviction rather than exhibiting unconditional love. Because of that candour,readers will be left with greater understanding of "a different kind of courage" - and they might join me in having strengthened confidence in a rational system which wages war to defeat evil and,in doing that,protects the right of individuals to believe that it is wrong to fight and kill. The test of civilisation is,after all,not in the treatment of consenting majorities but in the toleration shown to non-conforming minorities -- Lord Neil Kinnock
'A fascinating insight into 1930s Welsh chapel culture, which formed the background to a decision to register as a conscientious objector in World War 2. It recreates another - and often neglected world - on the page as one reads.' -- Martyn Whittock



Book Information
ISBN 9780745968544
Author Gethin Russell-Jones
Format Paperback
Page Count 240
Imprint Lion Books
Publisher SPCK Publishing