During his confines in Durham and Wormwood Scrubs prisons he began an association with, and later membership of, the Society of Friends, that lasted throughout his life.
As well as a pacifist, he was a socialist and had close ties to the early Independent Labour Party, which he greatly valued into his old age.
Again refusing directed labour for war in 1941, Arthur Raistrick was forced to leave his academic post in Newcastle.
As a Friend, Arthur Raistrick became interested in the history of Quaker involvement in science and industry, leading him to publish widely on this subject.
Raistrick was also a field archaeologist of some renown, specialising in the Craven area of the Yorkshire Dales, around his long-time home at Linton, near Grassington.
[9] Among other lifelong interests Raistrick was a keen walker, venturing far and wide amongst his beloved Yorkshire Dales and moors.
His interest in landscape and its conservation led to him serving several terms upon the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.