Sam Martin Went to Prison

During World War II, over 10,000 young men from various backgrounds wanted to serve their country in ways that did not include bearing arms.  These Conscientious Objectors (COs) worked
on farms, in industry, as medics (some on or near the battle fronts), or in alternative service camps.  Others, like Samuel V. Martin, were sentenced to jail time.  Sam Martin Went To Prison is the
moving account of a young man who stayed true to his beliefs through adversity and with the support of his community. The complete story can be found in the book by William Janzen and
Frances Greaser or on line at www.alternativeservice.ca

The young man stood before the elevated judge’s bench, trying to convince Justice Harvey that he was sincere in his beliefs.  He was a member of Duchess Mennonite Church in Alberta, attended regularly,
and agreed with his church and the Bible that killing was wrong.  Judge Harvey was not convinced.  He sentenced Sam Martin to thirty days in Lethbridge jail after which he would be handed over to the
military.  If, however,  he joined the Merchant Marines, he would remain a free man. Martin said no – his convictions would not allow it.

On April 4, 1944 Sam was arrested and taken to Brooks where he was handcuffed and walked across town to the train station.  On the train he remained shackled and under guard.  He was placed in a
jail in Calgary where he was photographed, finger printed, and searched.  A few days later he was taken to Lethbridge. Here he did various jobs but was lonely and worried what would happen to him.

Before the 30 days were finished he was sent to the Currie Military Barracks where he was met by the Regimental Sergeant Major who instructed him to wear a military uniform.  Sam declined.  The
sergeant snarled and shouted, “You will wear a uniform!  I am in charge here, and there has never been a person under my control whom I haven’t been able to break!  Take off your clothes and put on an
army uniform or go naked!”

After Sam quietly and respectfully refused, he was sentenced to solitary confinement and a diet of bread and water - three days bread and water, three days regular food.  The cell was brightly lit all the
time and bare except for a pail for a toilet.  When he wanted to sleep he was given blankets.  The only clothes he had was his underwear.

Sam was determined to remain steadfast; his faith in God would carry him through.  When the guards noticed that he did not put on the uniform they turned off the heat in his cell.  When there was still no
change in Sam’s actions, they opened the window, allowing in the cool spring air.  Sam closed the window.  The guards stormed in, yelling, swearing and threatening him.  They opened the window; when they
left, Sam closed it again.  After a number of attempts the guards gave up, but kept the heat in the cell off.

At the end of his sentence, guards forced Sam into a uniform.  He was so weak he could not resist.  They led him away in handcuffs and took him to the Mewata barracks in Calgary.  Once alone, and
with much fear, he took off the uniform.  Again he was charged with disobeying an order.  While Sam remained strong in his convictions, the poor diet, the chill, lack of clothing, poor sleeping conditions, and
worry about the future were taking their toll.

He was again sentenced to solitary confinement in a 5 x 7 foot cell, with a drinking cup and a pail.  He wore only his underwear but could have put on the uniform at any time.  At 10 pm he was given
three blankets which were taken away each morning at six.  For hours he would sit in a corner with his arms wrapped around his legs.  Or he would pace, three steps forward and three steps back.  He
wondered if his friends and family had forgotten about him; he received no news from the outside.

His friends and family had not forgotten about him.  They prayed and wrote letters to him and to the officials on his behalf. One day the guards decided to give Sam his mail.  They threw 45 letters into his
cell.  Sam was overjoyed and wept.  Reading the letters gave him strength and hope.

At the end of his second 28-day sentence he again was asked to put on his uniform; again he refused.  This time he was taken before a tribunal where his pastor served as his character witness. In the end
he was sentenced to another 90 days in the dreaded Currie Army Barracks.  He was again mistreated but due to pressure from his community, Mennonite and non-Mennonite clergy, and a doctor who had
deep concerns about his long-term health, he was treated more favorably in the latter portion of his third sentence and in his other terms.

Sam Martin endured several more prison terms.  On May 8, 1945 Canada ceased to be at war in Europe.  On November 8, 1945 Sam was given an industrial leave to work in his brother’s garage and
on April 12, 1946 he was formally discharged from the military.  In total Sam served over 18 months in prison, at times in very difficult circumstances – but remained true to his convictions throughout his
entire experience.

- summarized by Conrad Stoesz