Joseph Henry Gibbons. Conscientious Objector.

[Barnsey]

Hi,my great grandfather,J.H.Gibbons, who came from the Maryport/Cockermouth area in Cumberland was a Conscientious Objector in the First World War and went to prison for it.He worked in the Iron Foundarys of the local shipyards and was also, so say a Trade Union Representative.I should like to find out a lot more about him and these things but I can't.I have all the census returns for him,his Dad was Stephen, a joiner and I have his marriage certificate, he married Cicely Armstrong in October 1914 when he was 24.His address was in a place called 'Siddick' at the time.Cicely's father, Robert had a job with the Refuge Assurance Co and in 1911 lived in Maryport, but he was relocated for a time to Southhampton and in 1915, Cicely gave birth to my Grandmother in his house there.I am thinking,could Joseph have been locked up then and is that why Cicely was at her parent's house.But surely it was not compulsory to join up in 1915?Can anybody help!

[Gibel]

The local paper may have reported his case so I would try there. Conscription started in 1916 I believe.

[km1971]

Here is two links to what the NA has on the subject -

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/conscientious-objectors/

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/conscription-appeals/

The second says that all records from appeal tribunals were destroyed apart from those for Middlesex and a small area in Scotland to keep as a representative samples.

Regarding recruitment conscription was introduced in early 1916. But there was an earlier 'Derby Scheme' in late 1915 which required registration. But you are correct, for the first year of the war he would not have been noticed. Some took the alternative of working as stretcher bearers or working in pioneer type battalions, even after they had served a sentence.

Ken

[Barnsey]

Many thanks for your help, both of you.Barnsey