A memorial plaque has been unveiled to those who stood up for what they believed in and refused to fight in World War One and Two.

People with a shared hope for a more peaceful world, gathered in Carlisle to dedicate a memorial plaque to those who refused to kill because it was against their conscience.

The plaque at the peace gardens in Hardwicke Circus commemorates the conscientious objectors who refused to go to war when conscription was introduced in 1916, as well as those who still maintain the right to refuse to kill today.

Mary Savage, clerk of the Carlisle Quakers, said finding non-violent ways to peace was just as important today as 100 years ago, even though Britain is not at war.

She said of the plaque: “It’s very important, because there’s an increasing militarisation in the world and I think the other way is not often heard. There are non-violent strategies that you can do to prevent war.”

Mary said the Quakers are not in favour of people taking over the world, but they advocate different ways of finding peace and believe everyone can be rehabilitated given the right help and resources.

She said: “Quakers believe there’s ‘that of God’ in everyone so if you’re killing someone, you’re killing God.”

About 40 people, both Quakers and others, attended the short dedication ceremony, which was held on International Conscientious Objectors Day on Sunday.

They observed a few minutes silence with their heads bowed and then shook hands when the ceremony ended.

Carlisle city councillor and former mayor Steven Bowditch said that during his mayorship in 2014/15 he attended many centenary events commemorating World War One, but none that showed this side of the story.

He said: “This is very, very important, to remember that there are always brave people who stand up for what they believe.”

During World Wars One and Two, there were about 13 conscientious objectors in Carlisle. Some were imprisoned at Carlisle Castle along with objectors from around the country, while others were sent to Wormwood Scrubs in London.

About 16,000 conscientious objectors refused to fight when conscription laws were brought in in 1915. Those who objected had to appeal in public, usually on moral or religious grounds.

Mary said she hoped people would remember the sacrifices they made – they were presented with a white feather as a symbol of their “cowardice”, shamed and even imprisoned – when they saw the plaque.