Dates:
Born December 1880 he was 36 in 1916
Address: 59 Perry Hill, Catford
Henry Havelock is not listed as living at 59 Perry Hill in the 1911 census, but this is the address given in press reports of his appearance before the Lewisham Military Service Tribunal. Living at the same address were his brothers Archibald, Cyril, Herbert Henry* and Walter Edwin who were all conscientious objectors. Also living at this address were his father Arthur, mother Margaretta Jessie and a brother Arthur E. Their father's business Arthur Miles & Sons Upholsters of 59 and 59A Perry Hill is listed in Kellys Post Office Directory and it also lists a yard at Rutland Road, Catford. *(see Note below)
Henry Havelock was single and a Linoleum fitter. He was a Baptist and a member of the Dulwich Branch of the No-conscription Fellowship.
Conscientious Objection during the First World War:
His appearance before the Lewisham Military Service Tribunal was reported in the Lewisham Borough News of March 17, 1916, where the following exchange is recorded “You have an unfortunate name for this sort of business" said Mr. Mead to Mr. H.H. Miles “Henry Havelock, he was a very valiant soldier” he then went on to say that the name Miles meant a soldier, in its Latin form the Kentish Mercury informed its readers. The fourth Miles appearing on the day was a said to be a cousin Herbert Henry by both local papers who gave his address as 44 Dacre-park.
Henry was arrested in May and brought before the Greenwich Magistrates together with his brother Cyril an event reported in The Kentish Mercury of May 19, 1916. Henry and his brother were both charged with "failing to attend when called out on permanent military service” and were both handed over to the military
There is a list made by Arthur Creech Jones, Secretary of the Dulwich N-CF referring to men from the Dulwich Branch who had been arrested and although it is undated some individuals named have dates given from 12 June until 20 July, 1916. The list shows H. Havelock was at Winchester Jail sometime during that period.
No further detail of Henry “Havelock’s” experiences have been found yet. However, the Pearce Register of British Conscientious Objectors shows Harry Miles from Lower Sydenham in Winchester CP from 31.5.16 until he was discharged to the Home Office Scheme in August. Although neither first or surnames are uncommon further research may show them as one and the same person.
War Service:
After the First World War:
Source:
Lewisham Borough News March 17, 1916 and The Kentish Mercury May 19, 1916
Arthur Creech-Jones On the Latest Information Concerning all Men arrested at the Dulwich Branch in the Special Collections at the Bodleian Library.
Dulwich N-C.F What are Conscientious Objectors? July 1917 in the Cumbria Archive Centre ref:D/Mar/4/97
Clara Cole, The Objectors to Conscription and War, published Manchester: Workers' Northern Publishing Society, 1936
Ann O'Brien, Volunteer Lewisham Local History and Archives Centre
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