Britten, Benjamin.

including official typescript copies of the statement of Britten's pacifist position before the local tribunal of Conscientious Objectors in May 1942, the "further evidence obtained at the hearing" on 28 May (in which Britten's occupation is described as "Musical Free Lance"), and the grounds for his appeal delivered on 17 June, 3 copies of Britten's typed list of his performances, each inscribed by Britten in orange crayon ("Principal [Performances] 1941-2"), together with autograph and typed letters in his support, signed by William Walton, Robert Helpmann, Ralph Hawkes, Basil Wright, Harry Ross, Helen Hurst and others, working notes for the text of Britten's defence (2 pages, also annotated in orange crayon), 15 items, some on printed forms of the Tribunal ("National Service (Armed Forces) Act 1939"), letters from the Ministry of Labour, together with 13 copies of the letters and a collection of some 30 transcripts of press criticism of Britten assembled by Boosey & Hawkes, and their printed Catalogue of his works (1939), London, 4 May-17 August 1942;  the lot also includes letters to and on behalf of the Peace Pledge Union, signed by Vera Brittain, Sybil Thorndyke, Naomi Mitchison and others, 20 items, 1945-1952, and 38 postcard photographs signed by Britten (4), Clifford Curzon (4), Vera Brittain (7), Thorndyke (4), Lawrence Housman (6), and photographs of the Peace Pledge Union c.120 items in all, some browning

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This file of documents relates to an important episode in Britten's career, offering an insight into the nature and extent of his pacifism.   On his return from America during the Second World War, the young composer was called before the local tribunal for the Registration of Conscientious Objectors and, on being assigned duties with the R.A.M.C. [Royal Army Medical Corps], appealed its judgement on 18 August.  The collection includes Britten's explanation of where he had been misunderstood by the local tribunal and why he still objected to the serving, even with the Medical Corps. He was represented at both tribunals by Stuart Morris of the Peace Pledge Union.  The draft notes for Britten's appeal, included here, may be be in Morris's hand; he is thought to have helped Britten write his original application.  Britten was supported by letters from his publishers, the Film Centre Ltd, the Armed Forces Education Committee, and by a remarkable letter by William Walton, who described Britten as "the outstanding composer of his generation and a rising hope for the future of English music, and as such, potentially at any rate...a national asset".  Given Walton's later wariness towards Britten, whom he regarded as a more successful young rival, this early unguarded support for him is remarkable.

"...the local Tribunal failed to appreciate the religious background of my conscience, trying to tie me down too narrowly to a belief in the divinity of Christ....It is for this reason that my conscientious objection covers non-combatant as well as combatant service in the army. The reference to the R.A.M.C. does not fairly represent what I tried to convey to the Tribunal.  I could not conscientiously join the R.A.M.C. or the non-combatant corps, because by doing so I should be no less actively participating in the war, than if I were a combatant..." [17 June 1942]