Spreading Archibald Baxter’s message of resisting war and conflict, and finding positive alternatives to them, can take many forms. The Trust is continuing its peace education work in schools and plans to sponsor a debating cup, as well as progressing a number of literary projects relating to his famous wartime memoir, We Will not Cease.
The irony of all war is its objective to achieve peace, yet surely the path to harmony is not
through destruction and killing, rather it be through tolerance and humanity; qualities which Baxter demonstrated throughout his lifetime. Most men enlisted for the war out of what they believed to be patriotism, pride and honour. Yet through the course of the war their actions became inhuman and the killing of the ‘enemy’ became synonymous with protecting the fatherland as they became swept into the military machine.
“All wars are atrocious, and no war can be called just.” Death is inevitable, so why cannot people use their highly developed brains, and let people have the chance for a long and happy life? Everyone has a right to remain unscarred by the horrors of war, something no sane person should wish to be subject to. These deaths do not benefit anyone, they only cause sorrow and pain to those close to them.