Conscription

[g forgeron]

My late grandfather , who was a carter by occupation, born July 1877, never served in the first world war. Conscription was introduced in 1916 covering all males between 18 and 41. He died aged 79 and from what I remember didn't suffer from any disability . Why would he not have been called up ?

[stanmapstone]

Military Service Tribunals were set up under the Military Service (No.2) Act in 1916,. An application for a certificate of exemption under the Act could be made to the Tribunal on a four grounds,
(a) on the ground that it is expedient in the national interests that he or they should, instead of being employed in military service, be engaged in other work.
(b) on the ground that the man by or in respect  of whom the application is made has any person dependent on him who, if the man was called up for army service would be without suitable means of subsistence.
(c) on the grounds ill-health or infirmaty.
 (d) on the ground of concientious objection  to the undertaking of combatant service. Any person who was aggrieved by the decision of a Military Service Tribunal could appeal to the Appeal Tribunal of the area.

Stan

[cpercival]

Forgive me for hijacking this thread but you have struck a chord with Stan's explanation.  My late Grandfather never served in the military during the great war although he was born at the end of 1892 and would have been 23 at the time tribunals were set up.  He was a commercial clerk and I doubt would have had sufficient grounds for exemption due to the value of his work.  He was, however, newly married in June 1916.  Were any records kept of exemptions and the grounds on which they were granted; and if so are they available?

Clive

[stanmapstone]

There are numerous reports  in the newspapers of the time of exemptions, conditional and temporary being granted. What was his name?

Stan

[g forgeron]

Hi Stan, his name was Thomas Donald

[cpercival]

Forgive me again for piggybacking on this enquiry.  Moderator should I start a new thread?  My late Grandfather was George Percival and he lived in Carlisle.

Clive

[stanmapstone]

Hi Stan, his name was Thomas Donald

I can only see one Thomas Donald in relation to exemptions, he was a shepherd mentioned in the Buchan Observer and East Aberdeenshire Advertiser.

Stan

[g forgeron]

Wrong Thomas Stan, my Thomas lived in Troon, Ayrshire

[MaxD]

cpercival - His name doesn't come up in the selection of newspapers I have access to.  It doesn't include any papers from that part of the world though so I'd suggest you seek out newspaper reports of local tribunals if you can.  The conscription period covered 1916-1920.

MaxD