Conscientious objectors on Dartmoor

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Conscientious objectors on Dartmoor

Conscientious objectors at Princetown Prison working on the Prince of Waless Duchy of Cornwall Estate (which included the prison). They were employed on a scheme to reclaim several hundred acres of Dartmoor for the cultivation of food. Date: 1917

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Media ID 14186499

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Agriculture Arable Conscientious Cultivation Dartmoor Duchy Estate Growing Objector Objectors Plough Ploughing Princetown Prison Prisoners Scheme Reclaim

EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a group of conscientious objectors at Princetown Prison on Dartmoor during World War I. The men, dressed in simple work clothes and hats, are seen ploughing a field as part of a unique scheme to reclaim several hundred acres of Dartmoor for the cultivation of food. The prisoners were employed by the Duchy of Cornwall Estate, which included the prison, to help meet the food production needs of the country during the war. The First World War, which began in 1814, brought about unprecedented challenges to the British food supply system. With many able-bodied men away at the front, there was a critical need for labor to maintain agricultural production. Conscientious objectors, who refused to fight on moral or religious grounds, were among those who were put to work on farms and estates, including the Dartmoor prison. The men in this photograph are seen working diligently, ploughing the arable land with determination and focus. The plough, a symbol of hard labor and the backbone of agriculture, is a testament to the men's commitment to their work. The rugged terrain of Dartmoor, with its barren and rocky landscape, adds to the sense of challenge and resilience. This photograph is a poignant reminder of the complex and often controversial ways in which society coped with the demands of war. It also highlights the importance of agriculture and food production, even in times of crisis, and the role that conscientious objectors played in maintaining the country's food supply. The image is a powerful testament to the human spirit and the enduring power of hard work and determination.

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