26 June 1917
News from Prison
Winchester Prison 26 June 1917
Arch. Bing, nr 1
In 1916 Harold Bing (1897-1975) refused to serve in the army because he was a conscientious objector, and was imprisoned in Winchester for three years. The young man was allowed to write a long letter to his family once every twelve weeks. In between, some prefabricated information about his well-being may be sent:
"Dear [Father], I am now in this prison and am in [good] health. If I behave well, I shall be allowed to write another letter about [16/8/17] and to receive a reply, but no reply is allowed to this."
In prison Bing issues a bulletin made of brown toilet paper, with the news "etched" by a needle: the Winchester Whisperer. Bing's conscience is not changed in this period of detention. He is to remain a life-long activist within the War Resisters International.
See also:
• Harold Bing papers
• War Resisters International archive
Today in the Biographies Dutch Labour Movement
Born on 26 June |