Records of William Varley

This collection contains papers relating to William Varley a conscientious objector from York. The collection includes postcards, letters and other correspondence relating to his imprisonment for objection against conscription as well as newspaper cuttings relating to the death of another conscientious objector and Varley himself. Also includes a pamphlet entitled 'Sonnets from Prison'.

William Varley was a quaker and conscientious objector from New Earswick, York. He refused to join the Army Reserve where men were conscripted under the Military Service Act of 1916. He was later sent to prison to serve a sentence for disobeying the command of his Superior Officer when ordered to put on a uniform. While in prison he continued to campaign for the rights of conscientious objectors. In November of 1916 William Varley accepted work of national importance and left prison to do this in January 1917.

Material is available subject to the usual terms and conditions of access to Archives and Local History collections.

More detailed finding aids for this collection can be found online by searching the Explore website ( www.exploreyork.org.uk)

Compiled by Francesca Taylor, Community Collections Assistant, April 2015.

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