This talk will discuss the conscription of miners in the Forest of Dean which led to conflict and dissent within the their trade union, the FDMA. It will give an account of the role of Welsh conscientious objectors in encouraging the Forest miners to resist conscription and, in August 1917, to pass the following resolution:

That we, the Forest of Dean miners, call upon the various Trade Unions of this country to take the necessary steps with the view to ascertaining the views of the workers of all countries to negotiate an immediate and honourable peace.

The talk will describe how the passing of this resolution led to the defeat of the FDMA full time agent, who supported conscription, and the election of a more militant leadership within the union.