Rushden Echo, 2nd February 1917, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Boot and Shoe Trade Cases

The Local Tribunal for Rushden sat at the Council Buildings, Rushden, on Monday night, when there were present: Messrs. T. Swindall (chairman), G. Miller, J.P., and C. Bates, with Mr. W. L. Beetenson (deputy clerk).  Mr. John S. Mason was the military representative.

A boot and shoe manufacturer, aged 26, married, applied for exemption.  Under the voluntary system, he said, he was rejected three times, on account of old injuries to his knees, which would prevent him marching.  He had also been rejected at Coventry, but the medical board had now passed him for general service.  Besides running his own factory he was also engaged at times in teaching “green” labour on the consol.  Three of his brothers had joined the Colours, and he volunteered with them and was rejected.  It was stated that applicant only started in business for himself when he had been rejected a third time.  -  Several of applicant’s workmen had been granted exemption until March 31^st, and a similar exemption was given in this case.

An engineer to the boot trade, 28, married, had entered an appeal.  A certificate was put in from the War Office to show that applicant was engaged in experiments connected with boots for the Army, and the case was adjourned.

On the direction of the military representatives at Kettering three months’ exemption was granted in the case of a married man, engaged in dispensing under the National Health Insurance Act.

A horse slaughterer applied for exemption for his son, 25, single, the only man he now had.  His business, he said, extended for a radius of many miles, and was essential in the interests of the public.  He was told that he must find a substitute.  A fortnight’s exemption (final) was granted.

An Appeal was made at the meeting of the Northants Appeals Tribunal on Monday by Mr. Harry Linnett, 39, married, fried fish dealer, whose appeal had been dismissed by the Local Tribunal. It was now stated that Linnett is working 40 hours a week in a shoe factory, and he was thereupon given three months'€™ exemption, with leave to make a further appeal at the expiration of that time.

Draper'€s Military Appeal - The Northamptonshire Appeals Tribunal on Monday considered an appeal by Mr. William Roe, of Rushden, aged 37, married, of the firm of Messrs. Roe Bros., drapers, High-street, Rushden. Applicant'€s brother, it was stated, has received conditional exemption. Since his appeal at Rushden was dismissed by the Local Tribunal, applicant has been examined by the Military Medical Board and passed in Category B3. — Three months' exemption was now granted, with leave to appeal again.

Rushden Echo, 16^th February 1917, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Rushden Horse Slaughterer’s Appeal

Mr. J. C. Parker appealed for the exemption of Sidney Chettle (25, single), a horse keeper and horse slaughterer, in the employ of his father, George Chettle, Duck-street, Rushden, who also has a small farm and eight head of cattle.  The Rushden Tribunal had granted 14 days (final).

Mr. Parker asked for further time, and put in a petition signed by 58 farmers, and also letters showing the military had no substitute to offer.  The business would have to be given up if this man went.

Mr. Marlow: The largest business of this kind is carried on by ladies.

Mr. Parker: Yes, sir, in the management, but not in the handling and cutting up of carcases.

Exemption to March 9^th (final).

Rushden Echo, 16^th February 1917, transcribed by Gill Hollis

No Exemptions
The Military Authorities And The Boot Manufacturers

At a sitting of the Rushden Tribunal on Monday there were 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 (hon clerk), and Mr. W. L. Beetenson (assistant clerk), and Mr. John S. Mason (military representative).  Major Bramwell was also present.

A personal appeal on the ground that he is in a certified occupation was made by the foreman (aged 30, married) in the finishing department at a boot factory.  Mr. J. S. Mason: I do not contest this case at all.  He is in a certified occupation.  Conditional exemption granted.

A milkman appealed for his stockman and milker (aged 30, married).  The employer is physically unable to do the milking. – Conditional exemption.

A partner in an engineering firm made an appeal, and produced an order from the Government for a number of machines for perforating the broad arrow on Army boots.  Applicant, aged 28, is married.  Adjourned for medical examination.

An appeal on domestic grounds was made by a boot operative (28, married), whose wife is extremely ill.  Exemption until March 31^st.

A domestic appeal was made by a boot operative who has three brothers serving with the Forces, two others having been killed, and his father being blind.  Applicant, who is trying to keep things going at home under exceedingly difficult circumstances, was given exemption until May 31^st.

A tradesman (30, married), conducting his own business, was granted exemption until March 31^st.

Shoe Trade Cases

Mr. Wilson, solicitor, of Kettering, appealed for a number of boot and shoe manufacturers, and on their behalf asked for exemption for some operatives under 31 years of age, who had been placed in categories lower than A, but who had not been medically examined when the lists were compiled under which such men were exempted until March 31^st by arrangement between the boot manufacturers and the military authorities.

Mr. Wilson reminded the Tribunal that, under the arrangement referred to, no claims were to be made by the manufacturers for men under 31 years of age medically classified as fit for general service, with the exception of mechanics; and that all men over 31, and also all under 31 who are in categories B or C, were to be exempted.  Unfortunately, the whole of the men had not at that time been medically examined, and consequently it had to be assumed that all such were in category A1.  Since the lists were compiled, the men had been examined by the Medical Board, and the manufacturers were now appealing for all men in categories B and C.  The manufacturers contended that such men came under the arrangement made with Captain Wright.  Similar applications to this were being made in various parts of East Northants, and, in all, out of 700 men released, 50 were being applied for.

Mr. John Mason: These men, not having been medically examined, were assumed to be in class A1.  They were therefore not indispensable.  They gave us to understand that all men not on their lists were to go.  The manufacturers thought such men were in class A, and now they find they are not, they say they are indispensable.

Mr. C. Bates: How many orders for boots have been issued by the War Office and the Admiralty since these lists were prepared?

Mr. Wilson: I cannot say.

In reply to Mr. John Mason, Mr. Wilson said: This is a give-and-take arrangement.  We were to keep men who were in categories lower than A.  Had these men been examined prior to the preparation of the lists they would be exempted under the arrangement.  It was known that all the 700 men would not be fit medically for general service.  It was understood by Captain Wright that a percentage of these men would be returned.  Mr. Sharwood, who is here, can verify this.

Mr. Sharwood endorsed Mr. Wilson’s remarks in this respect.

The Tribunal then dealt with each case on its merits.  In each case where a man was passed in class B1, the appeal was dismissed.  In all the other cases exemption until March 31^st was granted, bringing them into line with those on the lists.

A boot firm appealed for a mechanic (aged 27, married), passed class A1, and exemption was granted until March 31^st.

Mr J C Wilson appealed on behalf of employers for six shoe operatives from Rushden, who had – owing, it was urged, to lack of opportunity for classification – been regarded as A men in considering the position, but were now B1 men. B1 men, under the arrangements now under revision, were allowed to March 31st. The cases were as follow:

Harry Tyman (24, married), Irchester, puller-over, employed by Messrs. Sanders and Sanders, Rushden; Thomas William Denton (26, married), Rushden, ink-setter; Arthur Tyson (28, married), Rushden, pressman, employed by Messrs. John Cave & Sons, Ltd.; Daniel E. Tomlin (26, married), clicker, Rushden, and Arthur George Berrill (25, married), clicker, employed by Messrs. Jaques & Clark; and Francis Roddis (25, married); clicker, employed by Mr. Wm. Claridge.

Mr J A Gotch (the military representative) said these men had been released when they were supposed to be A men, as their employers considered they could be spared. Now that they had been found to be less physically fit, and been placed in a lower category, the employers seemed to think they were better able to do their work.

Mr J C Wilson pointed out that under an agreement between the manufacturers and the military authorities B1 men were exempt till March 31st, and he asked that these men should be allowed to stay until then.

Mr Gotch admitted that he did not see how the men could be got into the Army until March 31st, and the Tribunal granted a final certificate to that date.

Boot and Shoe Trade Cases

At a sitting of the Rushden Tribunal on Monday there were 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 (hon. clerk), Mr. W. L. Beetenson (assistant clerk), and Mr. John S. Mason (military representative).

A hairdresser, etc. (35, married), passed in C1, was granted three months’ exemption.

All the other cases dealt with were those of men under the age of 31 who had previously been granted exemption, but whose certificates had to be reviewed by order of the authorities.

In the case of the branch manager of a leather factor, who had been granted conditional exemption, the certificate was revised to exemption for two months. The principal of the firm has two sons (one at Rushden, and the other in the trenches), and he had no eligible men of military age in any of his branches. He did a considerable business in Army leathers, and had some big contracts still running.

A similar course was taken in the case of an engineer and fitter (26, married), the only turner in the employ of an engineering firm. It was stated that, owing to the employment of “green” labour in the factories, there were more breakdowns than ever.

In the case of a hand-laster (29, married), who had been exempted until March 31st, the certificate was allowed to remain unchanged, and the same course was taken in the following instances, in which exemption until March 31st had been given before: The manager of a grocery store, whose wife is critically ill; the only remaining partner in a retail business of considerable importance; the manager of a cycle and motor engineering works, with six retail depots; a currier and leather dresser (21, single); and an operator on a stitching and screwing machine for the trade, passed first in Class B1, afterwards, on re-examination, in B2.

The case of a fitter and plumber to the Gas Co. (25, single), B2, previously granted exemption until a substitute is found, was now adjourned until March 31st.

A horsekeeper and mineral water salesman (aged 20, single) C2, had his exemption reduced from May to March 31st.

A chemist’s assistant (23, married), has his exemption similarly reduced.

Rushden Echo, 14^th April 1916, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Shoe Trade Cases - Postponement for married men

The Local Tribunal for Rushden sat at the Council Buildings on Monday when there were present Messrs. T. Swindall, J.P. (chairman), F. Knight, J.P., C. Bates and C. Cross, C.C., with Mr. G. S. Mason (hon. clerk). Mr. John S. Mason was the military representative.

A boot manufacturer appealed for postponement for two men. Both were married men, but one had no children, while the other had a young family. The former was granted a month and the latter three months.

A shoe manufacturing firm applied for exemption for a clicker. It was stated that they had only a small number of clickers left, and the Tribunal granted two months’ postponement.

A firm applied for exemption for an operator on a bottom scourer, and two months’ extension of time was granted.

On the recommendation of the Advisory Committee postponement has been granted in a large number of cases, Mr. John Mason (the military representative) giving the Tribunal full details of the reasons for such postponements.  

Rushden Echo, 20^th April 1917, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Rushden Local Tribunal - Interesting Cases

Tuesday: present Messrs. T. Swindall (chairman), G. Miller, J.P., C.A., and C. Cross, C.C., with Mr. Geo. S. Mason (hon. clerk), and Mr. John S. Mason (military representative).

A master carpenter, plumber, painter, etc., (33, married), was given exemption until June 30^th.

A mineral water manufacturer appealed for a man (21, single), passed in C2.  Exemption until June 30^th.

A firm of cardboard box manufacturers appealed for a departmental manager (30, married).  The firm’s representative stated that they were engaged on direct Government work, and, with 61 females, they had only five males.  Allowed until June 30^th.

A heel maker, working for himself (35, married), appealed on business grounds, and also as a conscientious objector, basing his objection to war on the Ten Commandments. Granted to June 30^th.

The case of a married man, 31, in business for himself, was adjourned.

An outfitter, tailor, etc., aged 39, in Category B1, appealed on the ground that his was a one-man business.  It was stated that he was a first=class clicker.  Exemption until June 30^th on condition that he puts in half-time in factory at clicking.

A firm of boot manufacturers appealed for a clerk and cashier.  As the man was classed C3, exemption was given until June 30^th.

In one case a medical certificate was put in to the effect that the appellant was not well enough to appear.  Adjourned.

A father appealed for exemption for his son (18, single) a pupil teacher, to enable him to sit for the Oxford Senior Examination in July next and thus obtain the necessary qualifications to admit him into the teaching profession after the war.  The appeal was supported by a representative of the County Education Committee.  It was stated that the youth is in a Cadet Corps, and is thus getting military training meanwhile.  July 31^st (final).

A boot manufacturer (30, married), in partnership with his brother, made an appeal and stated that he was acting as a foreman in one of the departments.  His brother, passed C3, was not well enough to take full charge of the business.  They were engaged wholly on Army work.  Adjourned for a month.

An appeal on domestic grounds was made by a young man (21, single), who said his three brothers were serving and he was the only support of his widowed mother.  The Chairman said that though this was a hard case the appeal would have to be dismissed on account of the applicant’s age.

An appeal was made for a screwing and stitching machine operator (29, married), B2, engaged on Army work.  Allowed until June 30^th.

A Co-operative Society appealed for a grocery stock-keeper (31, B2), who had charge of all the foodstuffs coming in.  June 30^th.

Exemption for 14 days (final) was granted in the case of a painter and house decorator, passed for general service.

An appeal for a sanitary plumber (38) was adjourned for a month.

An appeal of a currier (25, single), class A, was dismissed.

A firm of cardboard box manufacturers asked for exemption or the manager of the cutting room (33, married), the only man in the department.  June 30^th.

The appeal of a married man, 26, on domestic grounds was allowed until April 30^th.

Northants Appeals Tribunal
Interesting Cases from Rushden
Publican turns Clicker – The Teaching Staff

The County Tribunal sat on Tuesday at Northampton, Mr. Stopford Sackville presiding.

Rushden Teacher
Mr. J. L. Holland, Clerk to the County Education Committee, supporting the appeal of John Dunbar (25, unmarried), of the Newton-road school, Rushden, the only male emergency teacher left to the committee, said the committee was endeavouring to arrange by substitution for the released of the three or four men left. A man discharged from the Army had reported for service, and he proposed, subject to the discretion of the committee, to use him in order to release an A man under 30. Mr. Dunbar was in category B1, and if he had to go it would be necessary to use the discharged man as substitute for Mr. Dunbar at Rushden Newton-road chool, and to retain the A man in his present post.—Three months’ open exemption was given, with an intimation that in that period arrangements should be made to release the man.

Stanwick Horsekeeper
James Boyce (30), horsekeeper, stacker and thatcher, employed by Mr. Blackwell, was given exemption to June 1st.

Rushden Publican
Frank Wilkins (39), licensed victualler, Wagon and Horses Hotel, Rushden, also working part-time as a clicker, appealed from a decision of the Rushden Tribunal. Mr. A. J. Darnell supported the appeal.—Two months (open).

Rushden Jeweller
In the case of James F. Nix (26), married, watchmaker and jeweller, Rushden. Mr. J. Prentice (Northampton) appeared for the applicant, who asked for time to arrange for finishing the work in hand belonging to customers and for dealing with his stock. —Exemption to June 15 (final).

Rushden Blacksmith
George Page (26), wheelwright and blacksmith, Rushden, was appealed for by his employer, Mr. Marriott, who said that to help matters he allowed this man to spend time each day in milking.—Exemption granted to June 1st (final).

Foreman Clicker
Mr. George, solicitor, appeared for Albert J. Oliver (37, married), foreman clicker, Rushden. Mr. George said the employers, the Tecnic Boot Co., were in the arrangement with the military, which would come before Rushden Tribunal at the next meeting, when all their employees would be dealt with. It transpired that in the tentative arrangement Oliver would be retained by the company and one man named Knight, aged 36, released.—The case was adjourned for a fortnight.

Appeal—Yesterday, at the Northants Appeals Tribunal, Charles H. S. Jones (18), journalist, Rushden, appealed for exemption on conscientious grounds. Appellant said he was opposed to war between nations because it was rushing to brutal barbarism. He based his objection to war on Socialism and the Christian teaching he had received. As a Sunday school teacher and church worker he could not reconcile Christianity and Socialism with warfare. The Rushden Tribunal reported that in their view his appeal was on purely political grounds. A member of the Tribunal: How long have you held these convictions? Appellant: Ever since I began to think for myself.—The appeal was dismissed. Appellant was granted leave to appeal to the Central Tribunal.

Ironmonger’s Appeal—The Northamptonshire County Appeals Tribunal on Monday were asked to reverse the decision of the Rushden Local Tribunal in refusing to grant further exemption in the case of J. Lindsey Clipson, a partner in the firm of Messrs. Clipson Bros., ironmongers and builders’ merchants, Rushden. Applicant is 24 years of age, and single, carrying out, in addition to his business, the duties of organist of the Park-road Baptist Church, Rushden. It was stated that the other partner in the firm, Mr. Harold Clipson, joined the colours in 1915, and further, that there is now no other ironmongery business in the town—Exemption was granted until July 15th, final. Mr. Williams, solicitor, appeared to support the application.