Lendle

Contains a Table of Contents AGAINST THEIR WILL is the story of Conscientious Objectors during World War 1 in England. This is a fictional account based on actual events. Conscientious objectors were opposed to the war, seeing it as a war for no purpose, a war based on propaganda, a war about chauvinism and prejudice, a war let loose by the failure of international diplomats. It was not a war to end war, but a war to create animosity and new hatred. Some conscientious objectors opposed it on religious grounds, but they were also treated as though they were aiding the enemy. Those who refused to be conscripted where vilified, cursed as cowards, imprisoned, bashed, tortured, treated as traitors, and sometimes killed in one way or another. There was no sympathy for those who refused to aid the war effort. And yet the C.O.s continued in their opposition to the war, despite the pressure, despite the hatred directed at them. This story has another aspect, that of occultism, Kevin Darwin while in prison, has various psychic experiences. He meets the mysterious Gita Lume, who appears to have uncanny powers and knowledge about his deepest secrets. The army, concerned about the number of conscientious objectors, trial a program of forced conversion, using psychological "brainwashing" techniques. The program comes to a premature end when it meets up with Gita Lume, an expert on hypnosis and psychic skills. When I awoke it was dark. I tried to settle myself down on the bench, but there was no mattress and only one blanket. I fell asleep and dreamed fitfully. The night was long and lonely. I lay awake for hours and fell asleep again and dreamt meaningless dreams of courts and judges. I was awakened soon after first light began to show through the high window. The cell door was flung open and four soldiers came in and while two seized me the others forcibly stripped me till I was completely naked. A uniform was flung at my feet. 'Put that on! I made no move. I was terrified but knew cooperation would only trap me into the army. If I put the uniform on, I would be admitting I belonged to the army. Then while I was held from behind the sergeant punched me twice in the face. I struggled violently. I was hit hard in the stomach; I doubled over and brought up some green bile. I was on the floor and suddenly while still confused I was dragged out of the cell. One soldier held my left arm above my head, another my right foot. And while I tried to crawl on one arm and one leg they dragged me, still naked, through the corridors in that wretched position. I was dragged onto the parade-ground and made to hobble about like this, around and around, while soldiers stood nearby laughing. To them I must have looked amusing: hobbling along naked and white, my face smeared with blood, dragging and crawling along the cold hard ground. I don't know what I said or thought, whether I cried or swore; I was in great pain, my knees, arms and feet were cut and bleeding. When all my strength failed me, I collapsed completely and when I was kicked I curled up like a worm for protection. After the kicking stopped I did not try to move, but lay panting on the ground. A crowd of army spectators had formed and they all fell silent for a moment, then a collective laugh went up. A violent shock echoed through my body as I was drenched with a bucket of icy water. It cut into my grazed skin and stung my bleeding mouth. 'Get up conchie!' someone yelled. 'Get up ya conchie!' Before I could move, I was dragged to my feet. I could now see soldiers laughing and joking amongst themselves, gathered around me. I didn't care anymore. As I stood there naked and sick in my guts, dripping with water and blood, I only desired to escape from them. I thought I had been humiliated as much as it was possible; I was wrong.A nuggety fellow stepped forward, his face nasty and twisted, he came towards me and the crowd formed and surge