David Stephens interviewed for the documentary "Hell No We Won't Go"

David Stephens registered as a conscientious objector in 1969, knowing that his objection to the Vietnam War in particular rather than war in general was not being accepted by the courts. His family were ambivalent about his decision. His father had suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder towards the end of World War 2, two uncles had been killed in that war, and two great uncles had died in World War 1. This created general angst in the family about his decision. He got a job for two years while studying part-time, becoming a national service ‘defaulter’, someone who refused requirements under the National Service Act. The university turned a blind eye. Some men from the Department of Labour and National Service did look for him at work, but only half-heartedly and when David returned to full-time study, the university again turned a blind eye. By this time, Australian combat troops had been withdrawn from Vietnam and, when the Whitlam Government came to power in December 1972, it abolished national service. (Description provided by interviewer).