—

Just a line. We have been warned today that we are now within the war zone. The military authorities have absolute power, and disobedience may be followed by very severe penalties, and possibly the death penalty, so I have dropped you a line in case they do not allow me to write after tomorrow. Do not be downhearted; if the worst comes to the worst many have died cheerfully for a worse cause.

(Letter from Steward Beavis of Lower Edmonton to his parents the day before he was sentenced to death – later commuted to ten years’ imprisonment. Wally Archer felt that he was in good company, being one of 16,000 men to ‘object’ to taking part in the war.)