Noel-Baker spent his life in Peace work and disarmament.
He worked tirelessly on many global initiatives for peace, drew
Nations together at conferences and the U.N. with encouragement
To stop arms-building and disarm – through agreements, rescue
International relationships on tenterhooks, make amends,
Begin to trust – and save the future of mankind.
Without disarmament, it would be impossible to prevent
War, his argument went, and disarming of all kinds
Should be “the supreme object of international policy.”
A Quaker, he served as medical staff in WWI,
Watched soldiers die from poison gas and gun,
Felt the arms industry itself responsible, Peace undone,
Saw nuclear arms rise, a war no one would win.
He railed on “the disarmed world we must have” someday.
June Edvenson 