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Norwich Quaker, Percy Boddy, refused to fight in World War One and was jailed three times for conscientious objection.

He joined the Friends Ambulance Unit (FAU), a volunteer force co-ordinated by the Quakers, and served in France in 1916. But he left the FAU later that year because he felt it was too military.

In a letter to his wife Lucy, he wrote: 鈥淪ervice in FAU seems to grow more military rather than otherwise. I almost think that had I known how things are I should not have joined鈥� It seems there is too much cronying to the military.鈥�

Percy was imprisoned in Wormwood Scrubs and Norwich Prison and served a total of two and a half years in jail.

Percy鈥檚 moral stand must have won him some support as after the war he was elected to the city council and became Sheriff of Norwich in 1946. He was awarded both the Victory and Campaign medals after the conflict 鈥� but never wore them.

Location: City Hall, Norwich NR2 1NH
Image: Percy Boddy, courtesy of his grandson; Peter Boddy

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