Rushden Echo, 18th January 1918, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Rushden Military Tribunal
Men With Sons In The Army - Some Hard Cases

Monday, present Messrs. T. Swindall (chairman), F. Knight, J.P., C. Bates, G. Miller, J.P., C.A., and C. Cross, C.C., with Mr. G. S. Mason (hon. clerk) and Mr. John S. Mason (military service representative).

Mr. W. W. James, Solicitor, appeared for F. A. Perkins, formerly of Rushden, now of Kempston.  Mr. Perkins, who is now in Grade 3, holds a protection certificate. - The case was referred to the Bedford Rural District Tribunal.

A personal appeal was made by T. A. Underwood, Class A, aged 41, married, a boot finisher at Higham Ferrers.  He stated that he had one son who has been a prisoner of war in Germany for two years and another son who has been serving in France for 18 months, besides which there were four other children dependent upon him. - Two months'€™ exemption.

Walter Merridale, 41, single, C2, who lives at Wellingborough and is foreman of the stock-room at Messrs. Eaton and Co.'€™s factory at Rushden, was granted six months’ exemption.  Applicant suffers from rheumatism, etc.

Arthur Coleman, 33, married, B1, a clicker, also carrying on the business of a herring curer, supplying 16 shops wholesale and having a retail shop, said that herrings were the cheapest food which could be bought. - Adjourned for a medical re-examination.

Fredk. Jones, 35, married, hand laster, made a personal appeal.  He said he had hitherto been rejected, but was now in Grade 3 (3). Mr. Watts, his employer, also appealed for him. - One month'€™s exemption, to bring the case into line with other cases of men in low medical categories.

Three months exemption was granted to G. H. Reeves, 32, Class A, on the ground of his wife’s illness.  For the last ten years, it was stated, she had been unable to get up.

F. G. Swannell, 42, married, Class A, a laster on Army work at Mr. Joseph Knight'€™s factory, was granted a month, and to be re-examined medically.  Had the applicant been one month older he would have been above military service age.

W. G. Dickens, 37, married, operator on a Rex pulling-over machine, said he had six children, five of them being under 13 years of age.  Being in Grade 3, he was given six months'€™ exemption.

Tom Ainge, 30, clicker on Army work, Grade 2, appealed on the ground of his wife'€™s illness.  He said he had three brothers serving with the Colours. - Adjourned.

Harry Tassell, 41, married, Class A, was given a month'€™s exemption, to be medically re-examined.

T. B. Dodd, B1, clicker, who had been granted three months'€™ exemption, final, for domestic reasons, was now refused permission to appeal again.

W. L. Bates, 40, clicker, Class A, who had been given final exemption, now asked for leave to appeal gain. - Refused.

W. Martin, 29, clicker, Class A, was given a month'€™s exemption, open, his wife being a chronic invalid.

W. E. Smith, 39, married, Grade 2, foreman of a lasting room, said he had five children under eleven years of age.  Three of his brothers are serving with the Colours. - One month'€™s exemption.

R. Mitchell, married, a laster, formerly B1, now Grade 2, was given a month'€™s exemption.

Messrs. H. W. Chapman appealed for W. J. Bone, 30 years of age, a departmental manager.  A protection card was now produced, and the case was adjourned.

W. Cave, 40, appealed on the ground that his was a one-man business, and said he worked 4½ hours a day in a shoe factory.  He had one son who had joined the Colours before he was 18 years of age. - Three months'€™ exemption.

Rushden Echo, 8^th February 1918

Rushden Military Tribunal
Men in Low Medical Categories
Some Interesting Cases

Monday, present Messrs. T. Swindall (chairman), F. Knight, J.P., C. Bates, G. Miller, J.P., C.A., and C. Cross, C.C., with Mr. George S. Mason (clerk) and Mr. John S. Mason (National Service representative).

Thomas Clark asked for temporary exemption for his son, Bert Clark, aged 18, who had been put in the lowest medical category.  Educational reasons were also urged. - Three months.

Three months'€™ exemption was given to Herbert Watts, 40, reduced from B1 to Grade 3.

Harry Jaques, boot manufacturer, 27, married, now in Grade 2, applied for a renewal of his exemption, and said he did not start in business for himself until he had been rejected four times. - Three months' exemption.

Robert C. Timpson, 36, Grade A, a member of the Fire Brigade, was given exemption until March 31^st on the grounds of public service.

Herbert A. Brown, 31, married, Grade 2, engaged on Government boots, was appealed for by his employers, Messrs. Jaques & Clark. - Appeal dismissed.

Messrs. Radburn & Bennett appealed for Wilfred Percy Wright, aged 18, single. Mr. Radburn explained that they had already trained a youth to take Wright'€™s place, but the father had taken him away and put him on the land when he was nearly 18 years old.  The firm now asked for time to train another youth to take Wright'€™s place. - Four months, final, and to join the Volunteers.

Temporary exemption was granted in the case of a number of men of low medical category, and in the case of some "€œindispensables"€ of higher category the Volunteer condition was imposed.

Rushden Echo, 15^th February 1918

ARRESTED—Mr. Edmund Freeman, of Portland-road, Rushden, a conscientious objector, was arrested yesterday as an absentee under the Military Service Act, having failed to report himself for military service.  Mr. Freeman, who is a Council School Manager for Rushden, was the originator of the celebration of Peace Day in the elementary day schools.

Rushden Echo, 26^th April 1918

Exemptions According To Age

Monday, present Messrs. T. Swindall (chairman), F. Knight, J.P., C. Bates, and C. Cross, C.C., with Mr. G. S. Mason (clerk) and Mr. John S. Mason (National Service representative).

Mr. George, solicitor, on behalf of W. L. Bates, asked for leave to appeal again. Mr. George said that his client, aged 41, was originally in Category A, and on re-examination was put in Grade 2; he was married and had three children, and worked in a boot factory.  The Minister of National Service consented to the case being re-opened if the Rushden Tribunal thought proper to do so. - Leave to appeal again was granted.

On behalf of the Rushden Chrome Tanning Co., Mr. George appealed for Ernest Potter, 35, married, C2, lately of Irchester, now of Rushden, an operator on the staking machine.  Mr. George said that the man'€™s full time was put in on Army work, and it would not be possible to carry on the factory without him. - Exemption until July 31^st, open.

The appeal of Harold Hales, teacher at the North-end School, was withdrawn, a covering certificate having now been obtained.

One month'€™s exemption was granted to Tom Ainge, aged 30, Grade 2, married, clicker on Army boot work, and to be medically re-examined.

The Lightstrung Cycle Co. appealed for Alec Thompson, 34, Grade 1. - Adjourned for a month.

An employer'€™s appeal was made for Reg. Walker, 18, single, at first discharged from the Army as being under age, then rejected, now Grade 2, until a substitute could be found.  Applicant had now obtained a substitute for Walker, who was a horsekeeper and carter, and the appeal was dismissed.

Leave to make a further appeal was granted to Francis Charles Underwood, 37, married, Grade 2.

The appeal of Messrs. B. Denton and Son, curriers, for Roland Frank Fairey was withdrawn, a protection certificate having now been issued.

Six months'€™ exemption was granted to T Richardson, a conscientious objector.

J. H. Compton, 30, married, Class A, was given a month'€™s exemption, and told to be re-examined.

Open Exemption

until July 31^st was given in the following cases, mainly on the ground of age:-

Thomas Neville, 37, C1.

F. J. Carr, 39, Class A.

Ralph Bond, 38, Grade 2, married, six children.

Ernest A. Sugars, 36, edge-setter at the C.W.S., previously Class A, now C1.

David Magee, Grade 2, an edge setter, aged 37.

Harry Brown, 41, Grade 2, six children, two sons have served with the Colours for three years.

Thomas Percy Panter, 36, B1, puller-over on war boots for the Premier Boot Co.

Harry Scroxton, 42, Grade 3.

Henry Curtis Neville, 36, Class A, edge setter.

John Tarry, 41, Class A, edge parer and setter, married, with five children.

William Brown, 41, B1, boot finisher, with seven children, five of them under 11 years of age.

A Underwood, 42, B1, eldest son in the Army, and six children under 13 years of age.

Harry Cave, 38, Class A, with five small children, one brother killed in France, two serving, and one a prisoner of war.

John Henry Wooding, 36, Class A, edge trimmer, a member of the Fire Brigade, four brothers fighting out of five.

Percy John Corbett, 33, B2, single, clicker.

Walter John Godfrey, 42, Class A, pressman.

Hy. Tassell, 41, formerly Class A, now Grade 2.

George Childs, 35, married, Class A.

W. A. Dickens, 38, cowkeeper and dairyman on the Court Estate.

Thos. Underwood, 41, Class A, two sons serving, one a prisoner of war.

Herbert W. Wooding, 39, married, dairyman, Class A.

Walter Knight, 41, married, B2, printer.

Austin M. Boddington, 39, coal manager and deliverer for the Co-operative Society (employers'€™ appeal).

George Edward Robinson, 42, Class A.

Arthur Herbert Scroxton, 40, B3.

W. E. Danby, Grade 3.

Harold Geary, Grade 1, cashier and clerk for Mr. C. W. Horrell (requested to join the Volunteers).

John Robshaw Brooke, pawnbroker'€™s manager.

H. E. Wilmott, 35, married.

Arthur William Jaques, plumber, 36.

J. R. Clipson, 34, married.

F. G. Lilley, 37, plumber, etc., the Tribunal insisting that plumbers, etc., must be prepared to repair spoutings and execute other necessary work in preference to house decorating and paperhanging.

Percy R. Hales, Grade 3.

Rushden Echo, 3^rd May 1918

APPEAL—At the County Tribunal on Tuesday, Herbert E. Abrams, 30, married Grade 1, grocer's manager to Messrs. Tailby and Putnam, Grove-road, Rushden, applied for renewal of exemption granted on domestic grounds.—Mr. W. W. James appeared for applicant, and said that Mrs. Abrams was very ill with tuberculosis.—Three months'€™ final exemption was given, with an intimation that the case might possibly be reopened at the end of three months.

Rushden Military Tribunal.
Many conditional exemptions cancelled.

Fifty four cases, in which the Military Authorities asked for the review of the conditional exemptions previously granted came before the Tribunal on Monday night, when there were present Messrs. T. Swindall (chairman), F. Knight, J.P., C. Bates, and C. Cross C.C. with the clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the National Service representative (Mr. John S. Mason), and the Agricultural representative (Mr. Eady Robinson). Mr. Dulley represented Captain Cook. In each case the ground of the military appeal was that “in view of the national situation, it is important that the man should be available for recruiting at an early date.—According to the new regulations issued by the Government, all men in Grades 1 and 2 receiving exemption have to join the V.T.C. unless the Tribunals specifically decide to waive the condition.

In the case of John Eli Barker, 32, married, vanman in the employ of the Midland Railway Co., a certificate was produced from the company stating that the man is indispensable. The military appeal, therefore was dismissed.

Bernard G. Coe, 39, married of Wymington, a principal in the firm of Green and Coe Ltd., boot manufacturers, Rushden, respondent said that the practical part of the business was left entirely to him and they were engaged almost entirely on Government work. The conditional certificate was withdrawn and six months'€™ temporary exemption (open) allowed. With regard to the Volunteer conditions, respondent said he had a small farm at Wymington and he was also a motor cycle rider for the Bedfordshire Constabulary. The Chairman :You must join the V.T.C.

John O'€™Connor, boot maker and repairer, 42, married, Class A was given exemption until July 31st in line with the rest of the shoe trade cases, the conditional certificate being withdrawn.

Robert Charles Cunnington, 37, married, managing director of Messrs. Cunnington Brothers, boot manufacturers. In this case Mr. Isaac Cunnington said that respondent had for the last seven or eight years held the post of managing director and it was not easy to find managers. Conditional exemption withdrawn and temporary exemption until July 31st granted, in line with the other shoe trade cases.

William T. L. Flood, aged 43, clerk and cashier, was given six months exemption, being in Grade 3.

George Denton, junr., 41, married, Grade 2, director and secretary Messrs. B. Denton and Son Ltd., said he was responsible for the output of two boot factories and currying works, and was also a director of Messrs. Wilkins and Denton, of London—July 31st.

In the case of Frederick W. Leeson, 32, married, Grade 2, foreman in charge of the works of the Lightstrung Cycle Engineering co. a certificate was produced from the secretary of the Northants Food Production committee stating that the firm was engaged in repairing motor ploughs and other work of national importance. Exemption until July 31st. Mr. Dulley said that in this case, as there was a great deal of Sunday work to do with the tractors, he did not ask for the V.T.C. conditions, which were consequently waived.

Albert John Blackwell, 32, Grade 3, sole cutter on the Revolution press for the Coxton Shoe Co. Exemption for six months and the V.C.T. conditions excused owing to the grade. Mr. Cox said that Blackwell was in hospital as the result of an accident with the press.

Wilfred E. Capon, 33, married Class A secretary manager for Messrs. John Cave and Sons Ltd, boot manufacturers—Mr. J. C. Wilson, solicitor, appeared for the company and said there was no resident director at all, the directors being engaged in business elsewhere and Mr. Capon was solely responsible for the financial side of the business. There was no experienced office staff—July 31st, and V.T.C. conditions waived in view of the many secretarial and other offices held by Mr. Capon.

James Frederick Knight, 30 a master butcher, Grade 1—July 31st.

Arthur Sanders, 37, married, Grade 2, carpenter and undertaker, was given six months exemption.

Frank Albert Jones, 31, married, Grade 1, foreman butcher and shopman for Mr. R. A. Wheeler, who said that without this man it would be impossible to keep on the business.—six months.

William Langley, J.P., secretary of the Rushden branch of the Boot Operatives'€™ union, Grade 3—the military appeal was dismissed.

Arthur William Russell, aged 40, Grade 2, manager for Messrs. E. Parsons Ltd., Pork butchers etc. Mr. George appeared for the firm and said the respondent was engaged the whole of his time in the distribution of food. Military appeal dismissed and no V.T.C. condition imposed.

Harry Battson, 29, Grade 1, departmental manager for Messrs. H.W. Chapman Ltd., box manufacturers, engaged on Government contracts—July 31st final.

In the case of Fredk. J. Wooton, it was stated that he was already in the Army.

In the case of Arthur Essam, 25, Mr. Pack (Central Machinery Co.) produced a protection certificate. The conditional exemption certificate was therefore withdrawn, the firm to rely upon the protection certificate.

Frederick Thomas Eaton, Grade 3—six months.

Alfred Pettit, 40 slaughterman and Arthur Ball, both working for Mr. Herbert Skinner, butcher. Cases adjourned for Mr. Skinner to appear.

John William Mitton, 42, butcher'€™s shop manager Grade 2—the district manger for Messrs. Eastman's said that there was no one else in the shop. Six months exemption, the V.T.C. condition being excused.

Wm. H. Spicer, chief clerk and accountant for the gas Company was given six months. Being a Special Constable, the V.T.C. condition was waived.

Walter Clayton, 39 Class A, married, who has sole management of the firm of Messrs. Bull & Clayton, was given until July 31st.

In the case of Jesse Cunnington, a protection card was produced. The conditional exemption certificate was withdrawn, respondent to rely upon the card.

Six employees of the Rushden Co-operative Society – Irvine D. Haigh, W. Jeacock, H. C. Baines, T. E. Wigginton, W. H. Marriott and A. J. Odell, were dealt with. In the case of Mr. Haigh, who is manager of the drapery department, in which all the other male employees have joined the Colours, six months exemption was granted, and being a Special constable, the V.T.C. condition was not enforced. Six months exemption was granted to A. J. Odell, bread baker, 34, Grade 3 and the V.T.C. conditions waived. Exemption until July 31st was given to W. H. Marriott, 37, grade 2 manager of the Wellingborough Road grocery store. Six months exemption was given in the case of T. E. Wigginton, who is a Special constable and is the secretary of the society and the Volunteer conditions excused. Herbert C. Baines, 42, slaughterman and manager of the Wellingborough Road butchery department, grade 2, was given six months exemption and being a special constable, excused for the Volunteers; and the same course was taken with William Jeacock, 42, Grade 2 manager of the Queen Street butchery department, also a Special Constable.

Walter James Turner, 42, manager of Tailby and Putnam's grocery stores, Wellingborough Road was granted six months exemption V.T.C. conditions excused, being a Special Constable.

Arthur William Head, 31, director of the firm of Messrs. Ingle & Co., leather merchants—Military appeal dismissed, respondent being grade 3.

Herbert J. Tuffrey, 42, married, bespoke boot manufacturer was exempted until July 31st to be medically examined.

William B. Sanders, junr., 35, single, a partner in the firm Messrs. Sanders and Sanders, boot manufacturers, six months exemption.

W. Campion, Grade 2 and W. Ashford Grade 1 principals at the firm of Ashford and Campion, heel manufacturers, were given until July 31st.

In the case of William Church 42, of Wymington B2 ...ourer at the Rushden gas works, a protection certificate was produced. Conditions—exemption certificate withdrawn in view of the protection certificate. V.T.C. condition not imposed, being a Special constable.

Joseph Harry Hubbard, 42, married, Grade 2 master smith and farrier, six months exemption. Being mainly engaged on agricultural work the V.T.C. condition was excused.

William Chas Tarry, 41, married, managing director of the Tecnic Boot Co. Grade 1 was given six months exemption.

Sidney Robinson, 39, married, Grade 1, a partner in the firm of Messrs. T. Robinson & Sons, six months exemption.

In the case of Walter Lee, working for the Central Machinery Co, it was stated that he joined the Colours on Tuesday and was sent to France on Friday as a mechanic.

Alfred Packwood, 41, married, cartage contractor, six months exemption, V.T.C. condition waived.

Arthur John Shatford, 39 Grade 1 engineers’ foreman fitter for Central Machinery Co. exemption for six months and excused the V.T.C. Mr. Pack for the company said they had now only five men left out of 32.

William Edward Sargent, 39 Grade 2, boot manufacturer, was given six months exemption.

Wm. Durham, 39, married, secretary and cashier to the C.W.S. was given six months exemption. As a Special Constable the V.T.C. conditions was not imposed.

Robert Chas. Cammell, 28 Grade 1, partner in the Rushden Engineering Co. working for the Royal Army Clothing Department was given until July 31st and recommended to obtain a protection certificate.

Charles Clarke, 32, married, foreman in the boot finishing department for Mr. F. Knight, was given until July 31st, final.

James Hy. Odell, married, Grade 1, stockman to Mr. J. Hornsby, dairyman, was given three months and to be medically examined.

William Samuel Sanders, Category A, 41, currier, six months exemption, V.T.C. condition not enforced.

Thomas Denton, 31, single, manager of the Lightstrung Engineering Co. was given six months, a letter from the secretary of the Northants Food Production Committee being produced, showing that the firm are keeping Government tractors in repair.

Wm. Frank Sargent, 37, married, boot manufacturer, lieutenant in the Volunteer Battalion, was granted six months.

John White, married, formerly Category A, a boot manufacturer, produced a paper showing he was totally and permanently rejected from the Army.

Rushden Echo, 17^th May 1918

The Late Ald. George Miller

Monday, present: Messrs. T. Swindall (chairman), F. Knight, J.P., C. Bates, and C. Cross, C.C., with Mr. G. S. Mason (clerk), Mr. John S. Mason (National Service representative), and Major Boyce, of Northampton.

The Chairman said: Before we commence the business to-night, I feel it my duty to refer to the loss by death of one of the members of the Tribunal, in the person of Ald. George Miller.  I am sure I am expressing the opinion of everyone here when I ask the Clerk to send to Mrs. Miller a letter conveying our deep sympathy with her and with the members of the family in their sad bereavement.  I am sure that Rushden has lost one of its best citizens.  No man in Rushden took a more active part in recruiting than did Mr. Miller.  His heart and soul were in it, and he not only advised others to enlist, but advised his own son to do the same.  We all deplore his death at such an early age, when England could least spare him.  He was a true patriot.

The members of the Tribunal, by a standing vote, requested the Clerk to send to Mrs. Miller and the family a letter expressing their deep sorrow at Mr. Miller’s death.

The Military appealed for the review of the cases of A. Balls and A. Pettit, journeymen butchers in the employ of Mr. Herbert Skinner, conditional exemption having been granted in each case by the Tribunal some time ago.  In resisting the appeal, Mr. Skinner said he had 3,000 customers, and had only one other man besides the two referred to.  The men took their share in the slaughtering at Wellingborough.  Mr. Bates: I hope we shall have the slaughtering for Rushden done in the town this summer.  Mr. Skinner: They are trying to arrange that.  It was stated that the two men are about the same age, one being 39 and the other 40, Balls being in Grade 3 and Pettit in Grade 2.  Mr. Skinner said the men had been with the firm for the last 20 years.  Exemption for six months was given in the case of Balls and until July 31^st in the case of Pettit, the conditional exemption certificates being withdrawn.

Mr. John Austin, oil merchant, appealed for his son, Frederick Arthur Austin, 30, Grade 1, and stated that his son had been carrying on the business ever since he (Mr. Austin) had undergone an operation and become unable to take any active part in the business.  They covered 21 villages, including seven which had no shop of any kind.  There was no other man travelling this district.  Since his operation, and he had been unable to do any lifting, he (Mr. Austin) had sought work of national importance, and for six months he had been engaged in a branch of aeroplane making.—Exemption until July 31^st.

Arthur Barlow, 29, married, manager for Messrs. Tailby and Putnam, grocers, appealed for further exemption.  He said he volunteered for the Army in 1915 and was accepted.  After serving four months he was discharged by the Medical Board as unfit.—The case was now adjourned for re-examination.

The Rushden Gas Company appealed for James Edward Ekins, 30, married, Grade 1, a skilled gas stoker, on the ground that he was indispensable for carrying on the public service.  Mr. Watson (manager) said they had no other man to take his place.  At the outbreak of the war they had 42 men, to-day they had only 29 and one girl.  If this man had to go it would upset one of the shifts.—Exemption until July 31^st, open, the Chairman expressing the hope that the Company would be able meantime to get another man to take the place of Ekins.

Samuel Horace Wright, boot manufacturer, 32, married, Grade 1, stated that he employed about 40 hands.  He had undertaken to make 500 pairs of war-time boots a week for the Government.  He had been a Volunteer since the starting of the Company.—Granted exemption until July 31^st, open.

Mr. Allen Spriggs appealed for his son, Harry Spriggs, 25, married, general carter.—Adjourned for a fortnight for the result of a medical re-examination.

Harry Edward Matthews, 18, single, said that twelve months ago he underwent an operation in Northampton, and was still under a Rushden doctor.  Exemption until July 31^st, and excused from joining the V.T.C.

Mr. Ebenezer Wrighton, boot manufacturer, appealed for his son, Samuel Jesse Wrighton, 29, married, Category. Mr. Wrighton said that his son was responsible for the entire management of the factory.—July 31^st.

James Hugh Nicholson, boot manufacturer, 34, married, was given until July 31^st.

Messrs. E. Claridge and Sons, Ltd., appealed for William Alexander Chubb, 32, Grade 2, married, an operator on a pounding machine.  Mr. Claridge said it would be impossible for them to carry out their Army contracts without this man, who had served 13 years in the Army, had fought at Mons in 1914, and contracted dysentery, and had then been discharged from the Army.  On re-examination six months ago he was rejected, and had since been placed in Grade 2.—Exemption until July 31^st.

A domestic appeal was made by Geroge Henry Reeves, 33, married, a heel trimmer, on the ground of his wife's chronic ill-health.—Exemption until July 31^st, and the V.T.C. condition waived on domestic grounds.

Mrs. E. Ingram appealed for her son, Herbert Victor Ingram, 18, single.—July 31^st, final.

Mrs. Sarah Lodge appealed for her son, R. T. J. A. Lodge, 18, single, Grade 2, and said she was a widow with seven children to support. This son was the eldest. – Exemption until July 31^st, and, on the ground of ill-health, the V.T.C. condition was not enforced.

Rushden Echo, 31^st May 1918

Shoe Trade Cases

Monday, present Messrs. T. Swindall (chairman), F. Knight, J.P., C. Bates, and C. Cross, C.C., with Mr. G. S. Mason (clerk), and Mr. J. S. Mason (National Service representative).

Mr. J. C. Wilson, solicitor, of Kettering, representing the Rushden District Boot Manufacturers'€™ Association, supported the appeals for a number of men in the old Category C1, which was at present Grade 2.  The County Tribunal, he said, had given exemption to all boot trade employees over 33 years of age last Christmas whatever grade they were in.  With regard to men under 33 years of age, if they were in Grade 3—or in the old Categories B2, C2, or C3—they were given exemption.  Very few of the men for whom he was appealing that night were under 33 years of age, and he took it that in such cases the Tribunal would not require any evidence.  In the case of a few men in 'pivotal'€ occupations in the shoe factories men of Grades 1 and 2, under 33 years of age had received temporary exemption.

The Chairman said that the Tribunal would follow the lead of the County Tribunal with regard to men over 33 years of age and men in Grade 3, exemption until July 31^st being granted in all these cases.

In the case of all men in Grades 1 and 2 under 33 years of age last Christmas the appeals were dismissed, it being held that the County Tribunal should decide in such instances.

Six months'€™ exemption was granted in the case of Harry Spriggs, Grade 3, general carter, on the appeal of his father, Allen Spriggs.

The Lightstrung Cycle Co. appealed for Alec Thompson.—Adjourned for a month.

The Clerk stated that in future all appeals must be lodged with the Tribunal within seven days of the medical examination, and that all applications for renewals must be lodged 14 days before the expiration of the present exemptions.

Rushden Echo, 14^th June 1918

Rushden Military Tribunal - New Rules Regarding Appeals

Monday, present Messrs. T. Swindall (chairman), F. Knight, J.P., C. Bates, and C. Cross, C.C., with Mr. G. S. Mason (clerk) and Mr. John S. Mason (National Service representative).

The Clerk said that under a new rule the Local Tribunal would not be able to deal with appeals for those under 23 years of age.  In such cases all appeals would go to the County Tribunal.

It was stated that under the new regulations every man wishing to make an appeal must, 14 days before his present exemption expires, apply for leave to appeal again, otherwise no application can be heard and the exemption will automatically expire.  This applies to every case, including those men who at present have exemption until July 31^st, and in these cases the application must be made before July 17^th.

In the case of Cyril James, aged 18, adjourned from the last meeting for a medical examination, the Chairman said that under the new regulation the Rushden Tribunal could not hear the appeal, which must now be made to the County Tribunal.

Exemption from the Volunteer condition was granted, for various reasons, in the following cases: Bertram Booth, M.R clerk; E. Wadsworth, coach builder, etc.; James Salter, aged 42, who is cultivating land and who keeps pigs, poultry, etc.; and H. J. Tuffrey, 42, who is making surgical and other boots and whose brother is in the Forces.

On the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, exemption until July 31^st was granted in the case of a number of men over 40 years of age.

Rushden Echo, 21^st June 1918

Rushden Military Tribunal - The Volunteer Condition

Monday, present Messrs. T. Swindall (chairman), F. Knight, J.P., C. Bates, C. W. Horrell, and C. Cross, C.C., with Mr. G. S. Mason (clerk) and Mr. J. S. Mason (National Service representative).

An application was made by C. H. Blunsom, outfitter, a conscientious objector, who had been granted exemption on occupational grounds, on condition that he joined the Special Constables or the V.T.C.  Mr. Blunsom stated that he had applied to be enrolled as a Special Constable, but that he had been refused, as men were not being taken now unless they were over 51 years of age.  The Volunteer condition was waived on an understanding by Mr. Blunsom to put in two days'€™ work a week on the land.

In the case of Charles A. Hawes, previously adjourned for medical re-examination, applicant said he had asked for the re-examination, but had not yet been called upon to go before the Medical Board.  Exemption was granted for one month, the medical examination to take place meanwhile.

A personal appeal was made by Albert Brown, aged 33, C1, employed by Messrs. Green & Coe.  Mr. J. C. Wilson, solicitor, said that if applicant had been a month older he would have received exemption until July 31^st with the other men over 33, but he had seven children, the eldest of whom was not 14 years of age and the youngest being five months.  Applicant assisted his widowed mother, and was the only son left at home.—Exemption was granted until July 31^st, Mr. Wilson undertaking that no further appeal should be made.

James H. Compton, aged 33, married, Grade 2, made an appeal on the ground of ill-health, and produced a doctor's certificate stating that he was under treatment.—Appeal dismissed.