Museum of Oxford

March and April 1916 saw a drama played out in the towns of Oxfordshire.

A struggle for the hearts and minds of the public, between those men whose conscience prevented them taking part in the war, and the government that needed their manpower.

In 1916 the Military Service Act enforced universal conscription into the armed forces for the first time in British history. This talk, led by Sue Smith, will tell the stories of men from Oxfordshire and their decisions to resist conscription, and how social class and education played an important role in what happened to them when the Tribunal passed its judgement.

Sue Smith is a historian and speaker whose interests focus on conscientious objectors in the First and Second World Wars.

Tickets are available for £5 online and at the Museum Shop (booking fees apply online).

Please feel free to bring along your lunch or a coffee from the Town Hall café!

Sales from tickets help support our work to deliver fun and accessible family activities, community engagement projects, schools workshops, exhibitions and special events for Oxford’s people in our Museum spaces.

Access Requirements

The Museum is accessible for wheelchair users and baby carriers. There is step-free, level entry access to the Town Hall is via the entrance closest to Carfax (to the left of the main steps as you face the Town Hall). Inside the Museum, Museum Makers is accessible via a platform lift and lift to the basement level. Accessible toilets are available in the Museum (close to Museum Makers) and in the Town Hall on the ground floor, before entering the Museum. Please contact the Museum team if you’d like to talk to a member of staff about your access requirements. Further access information can be found on our website: https://museumofoxford.org/plan-your-visit/access

The Museum of Oxford is the only museum dedicated to telling the story of Oxford and its people. We’re located inside the historic Grade II listed Oxford Town Hall in the heart of the city.