Rushden Tribunal and the War Office
A meeting of the Rushden Tribunal was held at the Clerk’s office on Thursday morning, when there were present Messrs. T. Swindall (chairman), F. Knight, J.P., G. Miller, J.P., C.A., C. Bates, and C. Cross, C.C.

The Clerk reported that he duly received a telegram from the Local Government Board in reply to his of the 7th July stating that the War Office had agreed that the hearing of the appeals fixed for the 10th of July should be adjourned, pending further explanations. This course had been adopted, and he had written to the Local Government Board thanking them for their action in the matter, and stating that the local Tribunal would be prepared to resume their sittings on the understanding that none of the cases were to be pressed before County Appeal Tribunal, and that any further applications made by the persons concerned should be allowed to be made to the local Tribunal. A further communication had now been received in the nature of a copy of a letter addressed by the local recruiting officer to the War Office, in which he stated that, after consultation with the Headquarters Recruiting Officer, and the sub-area military representative, he had agreed to withdraw the military appeals in those cases in which exemptions were assented to by the military representative, and had instructed the area military representative not to press the appeals in the other cases in any way.

The Tribunal considered this action quite satisfactory, and, subject to further applications by the parties concerned being allowed to come before the Rushden Tribunal, resolved to recommence their sittings on the 13th inst.

Rushden Military Tribunal
Exemption for a Fireman
Agricultural Claims
Monday, present Messrs T Swindall (chairman), F knight, J.P., G Miller, J.P., C.A., and C Cross, C.C., with Mr Geo S Mason (clerk) and Mr John S Mason (military representative).

Robert C Timpson, 36, married, class A, a carpenter and joiner made a personal appeal, and said he had been a member of the Fire Brigade for the past ten years, and was called up on duty in case of air raids.—Exemption to December 31st.

Wm Arthur Dickens, 37, single, class A, a cow-keeper and dairyman, of the Court estate, made a personal appeal and said he was cultivating 20 acres of land, including 6 acres of ploughed land.—Three months’ exemption.

Germain Warren appealed for his son, Frank Warren, 25, single, C2, who was working on the land, including 10 acres of arable land, all garden produce.—Three ,months’ exemption.

The Lightstrung Cycle Co. Appealed for Alec Thompson, class A.—Exemption until Dec. 31st, to be medically re-examined meanwhile.

James Horace Compton, 30, married, class A, a clicker on Government work, was given exemption to Dec 31st, to be re-examined.

Northants Appeals Tribunal — Rushden Conscientious Objector – Appeal Dismissed
At the Northamptonshire Appeals Tribunal on Friday last, the case of Edward Freeman, boot operative, of Rushden, one of the Council School Managers for Rushden, whose application on conscientious grounds had been adjourned to give him an opportunity of getting work of national importance, at a financial sacrifice, now expressed his thanks to the Tribunal for their kindness and courtesy. He protested, however, on trade union grounds against changing his employment, which he contended was of national importance. To require him to find other work, he argued, savoured of victimisation. As he had not fulfilled the Tribunal’s conditions, his appeal was dismissed.

The County Appeals Tribunal on Tuesday granted two months’ open exemption in the case of Fredk. Darnell, married class A, of Rushden. Applicant said he was manufacturing youths’ boots, and employing nine people. His wife was ill and was expecting to undergo an operation.

Tribunal - The Military appealed against exemption to William Martin, aged 29, married, Class A, Rushden, clicker on Army boots. Martin’s claim for exemption was on account of his wife’s chronic ill-health from consumption.—Exemption was granted to April 16th (open).

Dentist’s Appeal—Bertram Allen, aged 37, Grade 3, of Kettering and Rushden, manufacturer of artificial teeth, made a personal appeal. Mr. Newton (solicitor) said that Allen had branches at Rushden, Rothwell, and Desborough. Most of his work was for the working classes. In the last six months his takings were over £600.—Open exemption was granted to May 1st.

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 the three months.

Rushden Military Tribunal - New Rules Regarding Appeals

Monday, present Messrs T. Swindall (chairman), F. Knight, J.P., V. 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 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 31st, and in these cases the application must be made before July 17th.

In the case of Cyril James, aged 18, adjourned from the last meeting for 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 31st was granted in the case of a number of men over 40 years of age.

Rushden Echo, 21^st September 1917, transcribed by Gill Hollis

A Peace-Day Promoter and Conscientious Objector
The Position of Firemen
Cases Referred to the Central Medical Board

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

The case of Arthur Loake (32, married), draper, milliner, and general outfitter, was adjourned for a fortnight, a medical certificate being put in to show that the applicant was too unwell to attend.

Two months’ exemption was granted in the case of Robert Conrad Timpson (36, married), carpenter, who is a member of the Volunteer Fire Brigade.

The Lightstrung Cycle Co. appealed for Alec Thompson (33, married, class A).  Mr. T. Denton, for the company, said that Thompson was the only man they had left and was engaged on motor traction work. – Two months (final).

Mr. Caswell, house decorator, etc., appealed for Alfred Edgar Sumpter (37, class A), the only sanitary plumber he had left.  It was stated that there are now only five sanitary plumbers left in the town. – Two months’ exemption.

John Henry Sparrow (40, single), brick-layer, a member of the Fire Brigade and a Special Constable. – One month (final).

Sidney C. Brightwell (41, married), a commercial traveller and boot factor, who was rejected under Lord Derby’s scheme, and is now in class A, was given leave to go to the Central Medical Board.

Alfred Ernest Nichols (38, married), sanitary plumber, was appealed for by Mr. A. T. Nichols, who said this was the only man he had left. – Two months’ exemption.

Robert Deacon Culpin (41, married, B1), foreman in a boot factory, was represented by Mr. J. C. Parker, who said it was the practice of many Tribunals not to send men of this age, especially if they were doing important work.  Applicant was not only acting as a boot factory foreman, but was teaching female labour.  The Chairman said that men up to 41 years of age had had to go, and the firm who employed him had offered to release him. – One month (final).

John Henry Wooding (35, married), with three children, said that all his brothers, four in number, are with the forces.  Applicant, who is a member of the Fire Brigade, was given two months’ exemption.

Charles Bayes (36, married), said that he had six children, the eldest 16 years of age and the second 12 years old. – One month (final).

Ethelbert Smart (33, married), asked for temporary exemption, and was given until October 31^st (final).

Ernest Alfred Sugars (36, married), said he was subject to rheumatism, having had two bad attacks. – Permission was granted to go to the Central Medical Board.

Jesse Joseph Coleman (34, married), edge-setter, said his wife was in poor health, and he was not only working his own allotment, but was cultivating two plots of land for his two brothers who are with the Forces (about 50 poles in all). – One month (final).

Albert Pendered (38, married), working a Hercules leveller, asked for exemption on medical grounds.  He said he had four brothers serving, and he (the only one left out of five) was under medical treatment.  Two of his brothers had been wounded. – One month (final).

Thomas Edward Underwood (41), who works at the Higham Ferrers Co-operative Boot Productive Society, said that he had one son a prisoner of war in Germany, and another son had been at the front in France for over a year.  He had six other children at home four of whom were dependent on him. – Two months’ exemption.

Variety Artist

Mrs. Thomas, proprietor of a travelling theatrical company which was stationed at Rushden last week and is now at Redditch, appealed for Arthur Thomas Woodruffe (24, married) a variety artist.  Mr. J. C. Wilson, solicitor, appeared in support of the application.  Mrs. Thomas said her husband, a soldier, was in East Africa, and she was trying to keep the business going in his absence.  She had 17 in the company, and if Woodruffe went she would have to disband the party and dismiss the artistes.  Mr. Wilson said that Woodruffe was a rejected man, and until he received a statutory notice last week he was regarded by Mrs. Thomas as a permanently rejected man.  Woodruffe was the only man eligible for military service in the whole company.  He acted as stage manager and was responsible for the general management of the entertainment.  Mrs. Thomas was permanently lame, and could not do without this man, who was not only the stage manager, but was also the principal comedian.  He was now in class A. – October 31^st (final).

Harry Mawby (40, married), hand-laster, appealed on the ground of his age and the fact that he is the secretary of the Higham Ferrers Forget-Me-Not Day and sports in aid of the Rushden and District United Clubs’ Blind and Crippled Children’s Association.  In addition, he was cultivating 30 poles of land, which he had not had time to attend to as he had been busy with Forget-Me-Not-Day. – One month, final.

Walter Bass (36, married), foreman finisher, said he had seven children under the age of 14 years. – Two months’ exemption.

Arthur George Warner Traynar (30, married, class A) asked for a little time as one brother had recently been killed and the only other brother was in France.  Mr. Wilson, solicitor, supported the appeal. – October 31^st (final).

The appeal of Henry Richard Morris (37, B1) a widower, was dismissed.

Bert Penn (29, married, B1) who attested at Irchester, asked for a medical examination, as he had been rejected by the Naval Medical Board. – One month (final), the case to be re-opened if applicant produces a medical certificate of unfitness.

Mr. Lawrence, corn merchant, appealed for Percy Robert Hales, a miller (32, married, class A), and spoke of the national importance of the work which Hales had to do.  Mr. Eady Robinson, agricultural representative, supported the application. - Exempted until December 31^st.

George Sayer (40) said he had five children.  He had tried to enlist four times. – Dismissed.

George Edward Brown (34, married), a clicker, produced a certificate to the effect that his sight was defective, and asked for permission to go to the Central Medical Board. – Refused, on the ground that there was insufficient evidence of medical unfitness.

Harry Clayton (34), clicker, asked for leave to go to the Central Medical Board. – Refused.

Charles Markham Sharp (35, married), whose appeal to go to the Central Medical Board had previously been adjourned for the production of a medical certificate, now stated that the doctor would not give him one. – Exemption for a month (final) in order to get in the crops from his allotment.

James Sinfield (36), clicker, produced an optician’s certificate that his eyesight is seriously defective. – Refused leave to go to the Central Medical Board.

John Thomas Gunn, who had previously applied for permission to go to the Central Medical Board, has now passed a trade test, and is working in the Army. – Appeal consequently dismissed.

Walter Merridale and William Sidney Middleton, on production of medical certificates, were granted permission to go to the Central Medical Board.

Mr. Asher Abbott, jobmaster, etc., appealed for his son, William John Abbott (35), who was his only horsekeeper, and who milked ten cows, and attended to 70 acres of land.  The business must collapse if this son went. – December 31^st.

Conscientious Objector

Edmund Freeman (39, married), finisher at the C.W.S. boot factory, and a member of the Rushden Education Sub-Committee appealed as a conscientious objector, and stated that he was opposed to military service on religious, economic, and social grounds.  He was opposed to military service root and branch.  He stated that he had always taken a special delight in opposing militarism in every way, in promoting peace demonstrations, and in other ways.  His services had been acknowledged by almost every Peace organisation in the country.  As a member of the Rushden Educational Authority, he had introduced the idea of a Peace Day in the elementary schools in place of Empire Day celebrations.  The first year only the local day schools took up the idea of a Peace Day, but the second year there were 1,600 day schools in the country which had similar celebrations.  He could not reconcile militarism with the principles of Christianity, and he asked for exemption from military service.

The Chairman assured Mr. Freeman that the Tribunal recognised that he was sincere in the position he took up, and they would grant him exemption from combatant service, which was all they were allowed to do on a conscientious objection appeal.

Applicant: Does that mean that I can follow my ordinary occupation?

Rushden Echo, 5^th October 1917, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Rushden Military Tribunal
Older Men Released By The Manufacturers
Younger Men Retained
Strong Protest by Alderman G. Miller

Many cases came before the Rushden Tribunal on Monday evening in which men of 40 and 41 years of age made personal appeals, and protested against being sent into the Army while younger men were retained by the boot manufacturers under the arrangement between the employers and the military.

Ald. G. Miller strongly protested against such action on the part of the employers, and said it was scandalous that the manufacturers should retain the young men and part with the older men, adding, “If I were one of those men I would not go back to the same employ.”

The Chairman (Mr. Fred Knight) endorsed these remarks, and the utterances were warmly applauded by the appellants and others present.

In the absence of Mr. T. Swindall, who is suffering from the effects of his recent accident, Mr. Fred Knight, J.P., presided, and there were also present Alderman G. Miller, J.P., and Mr. C. Cross, C.C., with the Clerk (Mr. Geo. S. Mason) and the Military Representative (Mr. John S. Mason).

Mr. George, solicitor, appearing for a boot operative named Waite, said that his client had three brothers in the Army and he himself was cultivating 3½ acres of land.  Applicant was granted leave to appeal to the County Tribunal.

Mr. George also appeared for a boot operative named Barnes, who, on a personal appeal had been granted open exemption until December 26^th, and he asked that his client’s name should be put on the list so as to come in with the rest of the boot operatives at the end of December. – The Chairman said that the open exemption granted by the County Tribunal covered the case.

Mr. George appeared for A. H. Lawson, aged 41 last January, class A, a married man, living at Rushden and working at Wellingborough as a foreman laster.  He had four girls, the youngest 13 years of age.  He had served as a Volunteer for over two years. – Dismissed.

Bert Penn (29, married, B1), who attested at Irchester, and had been given a month’s exemption (final), with the proviso that the case could be re-opened on production of medical certificate.  He now handed in a doctor’s certificate, and was given leave to go to the Central Medical Board.

Mr. J. F. Knight, house furnisher, appealed for James E. Taylor, who, he said, was the only man left in the business, all the others having joined.  It was quite impossible to carry on the business single-handed. – Three months (Final).

Mr. Wilson, solicitor, appeared for C. J. Newton, a partner in the Coxton Shoe Company.  Mr. Wilson said the firm were engaged in the manufacture of Army boots.  There were two partners, and Mr. Newton personally taught and supervised the various operations in the factory and was responsible for the book-keeping and the clerical work.  The output of the firm was 2,000 pairs a week, and about 95 per cent. was Army work. – December 31^st.

Messrs. H. W. Chapman, Ltd., card-board box manufacturers, appealed for W. J. Bone. – Adjourned for a fortnight for the firm to procure an exemption certificate from the Minister of Munitions.

Arthur Loake, draper, Church-street, aged 32, married, with four children, said he was putting in as much time as possible for the Ideal Clothing Co., at Wellingborough, that firm being so busy with Government work. – December 31^st.

An application for leave to appeal again had been put in by F. C. Underwood.  A doctor’s certificate was put in stating that appellant was not well enough to appear. – Adjourned.

William Prudan, aged 29, made a personal appeal.  He said he was a discharged soldier, but was now put into class A.  He was discharged as medically unfit ten years ago, after being in the Army a short time. – Adjourned for medical re-examination at Northampton.

Frederick J. Carr, aged 39, class A, said he had seven children, five of whom were entirely dependent upon him.  He was an edge-trimmer for the Wholesale Export Co., at Irchester, and lived at Rushden. – Two months.

D. W. D. Tilley (38, class A) asked for leave to go to the Central Medical Board. – Dismissed.

Arthur Coleman (33, B1), a clicker on Army work and also a wholesale and retail herring curer, the only one in the district, was given until December 31^st (final).

Henry Brown (41, class A) said he had six children.  Two of his sons had been serving in the Army for nearly three years.  One of them enlisted at 17 years of age and the other at 16.  Applicant, who is a puller-over by hand, said he was at present in the doctor’s hands. – December 31^st.

Jesse Warren (40, class A) asked for a little time to get in his garden produce. – One month (final).

John Tarry (41, class A) said he had five children, the eldest being a cripple, and his wife was nearly blind.  He cultivated 30 poles of land. – December 31^st.

Arthur Underwood (41, class B1) said he had six children under twelve years of age.  His eldest boy, who is in the Army, enlisted when 17 years of age and was sent into the trenches, but was afterwards discharged as not old enough; he re-entered the Army when he became 18 years of age.  Applicant said he had 40 poles of land, and he also helped his father (aged 70), who had three acres. – December 31^st.

T. B. Dodd (41, class B1) was given until December 31^st (final).

William Luther Bates (40, class A) married with three children, said he had to attend his own land and also that of his mother-in-law, whose only son had been called up. – December 31^st (final).

William Brown (41, class B1) with seven children, five of whom are under 11 years of age, was given until December 31^st (open).

John Edward Ward (41, Class A) married with three children, said that in May last year he was rejected at Kettering as medically unfit.  One foot had been injured by an accident.  His boy would soon be 18 years of age and would then have to join the Army. – Adjourned for medical re-examination at Northampton.

Frank Newell (40, B1) said he should be 41 years of age in eleven more days.  He had a son who had been 18 months with the Army in France. – December 31^st (final).

J. C. Hefford (41, class A) married, said his only son was in the Army. – One month (final).

H. Tassell (40, class A) was granted until December 31^st (final).

W. J. Godfrey (42, class A) said he had a crippled child, who had shortly to go through another operation. – Adjourned for a month.

T. J. Crick (41, class A), who said he should be 42 years of age in a month, was granted leave to go to the Central Medical Board.

F. G. Swannell (42) said he passed B1, but he was given a certificate marked class A.  He was engaged solely on Army work. – December 31^st.

Robert Mitchell (41) said he had 50 poles of land, besides pigs, poultry, etc. – December 31^st (final).

Harry Scroxton (41) said he was now nearly 42 years of age.  He had 25 poles of allotment, and gave 9½ hours a day to Government work. – Adjourned for a month for an eyesight test.

W. G. Hardwick (38, class A) said he had five children under 13 years of age, one of whom had been ill from birth. – One month (final).

Rushden Military Tribunal
Interesting Applications - Appeal Forms Missing

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

Mr. J. Wilson, solicitor, Kettering, appeared on behalf of Messrs. James Hyde, Ltd., boot manufacturers, with regard to five men in categories A and B1.  Mr. Wilson said that the cases came before the Local Tribunal in May last, and were dismissed, whereupon appeals to the County Tribunal were made out.  For some unexplained reason, however, the appeal forms had never come before the County Tribunal, and evidently the papers had been mislaid.  The military authorities now threatened to call up the men on Thursday, October 11^th, and, in order to guard against this contingency, he now asked for formal leave to appeal to the Northants Tribunal.  On March 31^st, when the lists were compiled, Messrs. Hyde had 31 cases of men who were in categories A and B1, and now, even if the County Tribunal granted exemption in the whole of these cases, the firm would still be under their quota of one-third, as they would have fewer than ten men of Classes A and B1. – Mr. James Hyde supported the application, and leave to appeal to the County Tribunal was granted.

Cyril Freeman (32, married), with four children under seven years of age, who on September 10^th was granted one month’s exemption (final), now applied, in view of altered circumstances, that his case should be re-opened, and that leave should be given him to appeal to the County Tribunal.  When before the Local Tribunal on September 10^th he stated that he worked in a boot factory and that he devoted all his spare time to making special boots for crippled children, and a letter from the Rushden and District United Clubs’ Blind and Crippled Children’s Association endorsed this and asked for the applicant’s exemption.  Mr. A. Haddon, president of the Association, now appeared to support the application for leave to appeal.  It was stated that a Birmingham firm, who formerly made a number of boots for cripples had been obliged to close down that department through lack of labour, and they had appealed to the Rushden Association to see if they could find a man capable of doing the work.  Mr. Haddon stated that at a meeting of the Association on Saturday the firm had asked them if they could find a man to make boots for cripples.  Freeman was quite prepared to give the whole of his time to this work, and the Birmingham firm were quite prepared to engage him.  Applicant said it would not be necessary for him to leave Rushden if he entered the service of the firm in Question, as the people requiring the boots lived in various parts of the country. – Leave to appeal to the County Tribunal was granted.

Albert Thomas Ainge (33, married), boot operative, who on September 10^th said he had four children and that he partly supported a widowed mother-in-law and an invalid sister-in-law, and was granted one month (final), now applied through Messrs. Morgan and George, solicitors, for leave to apply to the County Tribunal.  It was urged on his behalf that he thought he could appeal to the County at the end of his month’s exemption, and was not aware that he had to enter his appeal within three days. – Application refused.

Arthur Thomas Woodruffe (24, married, class A), variety artist, for whom Mrs. Thomas, proprietor of a travelling theatrical company, appealed on September 17^th, when exemption was granted until Oct. 31^st (final), now wrote asking for leave to go to the Central Medical Board.  He stated that he had been medically rejected and then placed in class A. – The Tribunal had no power to grant the application, as this was an employer’s appeal.

Christopher Panter (25, married, class A), operator on a Consol lasting machine, who on September 10^th was given a month (final), now asked for leave to appeal to the County Tribunal, on the ground that he did not know he should have appealed within three days. – Refused.

Rushden Military Tribunal
Reduced Categories For “Class A” Men

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. Geo. S. Mason (clerk) and Mr. John S. Mason (military representative).

Mr. George, solicitor, appeared for Messrs. H. W. Chapman, Ltd., who appealed for W. J. Bone, departmental manager.  This case had been adjourned in order that the firm might procure a protection certificate.  Some delay had been experienced in obtaining the certificate, and exemption was granted meanwhile until December 31^st.

The Northants Education Committee appealed for Horace Hales (30, married, class A), second master at the North-end Council School.  The Assistant Secretary of the Committee stated that efforts had been made to find a substitute, but without avail.  Mr. Saddler, the headmaster, had charge of both North-end and Newton-road schools, and there must be someone in charge at North-end while he was away at Newton-road.  It was most difficult to find substitutes.  -  Three months’ exemption granted, unless the Education Committee can find a substitute meanwhile.

In the adjourned application of Sidney C. Brightwell, boot manufacturer, aged 41, appellant stated that he had now been before the Central Medical Board, and he had been reduced from Class A to Class C2.  The Chairman: I am afraid a good many men have been put in too high a category and have gone into the Army, with the result that they have broken down under training, and it has caused their death.  If they had been properly examined in the first instance, he did not think they would have been put in class A.  Appellant stated that he had previously been a boot factor and was making munition boots on a direct contract from the Government. – Exemption until Dec. 31^st.

In the adjourned personal appeal of W. Sidney Middleton, printer’s “stone-hand and maker-up,” applicant said he had now been examined by the Central Medical Board, and had been rejected.  Mr. Knight: What category were you in before?  Appellant: Class A.  The Clerk stated that he would get his discharge in due course.

As the result of an eyesight test, Harry Scroxton was reduced to Class C2, and was granted exemption until Dec. 31^st.

Rushden Military Tribunal
Medical Re-Examinations - The Right of Appeal

An important statement regarding medical re-examinations was made at the sitting of the Tribunal on Tuesday night, when 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 the Clerk (Mr. Geo. S. Mason) and the Military Representative (Mr. John S. Mason).  It was pointed out by the Clerk that any man who has not been examined by a National Service Medical Board may be so examined if he applies at any time before he is due to report for service; and any man has a right of appeal to the County Appeals Tribunal if he is dissatisfied with his grading.

The Tribunal thought that this regulation should be brought to the knowledge of all applicants, so that in cases where they were not satisfied with their present grade they might apply for re-examination by the New Medical Board prior to coming before the Local Tribunal.

Appeals

Messrs. W. Green & Son, boot manufacturers, appealed for Jesse Warren, aged 40, who had been reduced to Class C1, and a personal appeal was also made by the man himself. – Exemption was granted until December 31^st, in order to bring the case in line with the other boot operatives in a similar category.

A personal appeal for a renewal of his exemption was made by Herbert Watts, aged 40, B1, of Chelveston, who has a daughter a chronic invalid.  The case was adjourned for a month for a medical re-examination, Watts stating his own doctors were of the opinion that he was in the wrong category.

Arthur Robinson, aged 42, single, boot manufacturer, appealed, and stated that his brother (a partner) was on active service, and if he too had to join the Colours it would mean the closing down of the business. – Exemption until December 31^st, with a request that applicant should meanwhile undergo a medical re-examination.

Exemption until Dec. 31^st was granted in the case of Tom Ainge, 30, married, rejected at first and then on re-examination placed in Category B1.  Applicant, a clicker, is suffering from defective eyesight, and he was recommended to undergo a medical re-examination.

The proprietor of the “Rushden Echo” appealed for Charles A. White, linotype mechanic and operator, category C1. – Exemption until December 31^st, with a suggestion that there should be a medical re-examination.

Peter James Deighton, 39, married, potato merchant, etc., made a personal appeal, and stated that he was in charge of two businesses, the proprietor of one being on active service, whilst he was also supervising another business.  He was rejected on enrolment, and subsequently passed B1. – Exemption until December 31^st, and to be re-examined meanwhile.

Harry Cave, 37, class A, edge setter, said he had five small children, while one of his brothers had been killed, one had been a prisoner of war since September, 1914, and the others were still fighting in France.  His wife’s brothers, too, were all in the Army. – December 31^st.

A personal appeal was made by Walter Edward Smith, 39, married, foreman of the lasting room at Mr. Horace Wright’s factory, and there was also an employer’s appeal.  Mr. Wright said that the man was indispensable.  He did all the pulling-over by hand, and also managed the room.  The Chairman said that the employer’s appeal had been dealt with by the County Tribunal and dismissed, and that therefore the Local Tribunal had no jurisdiction in the matter.  On the personal appeal, the applicant stated that he had five children under eleven years of age, that he was working 40 poles of allotment, and that he had for some years been a poultry keeper, pig keeper, etc. – Exemption on personal appeal until December 31^st.

Henry Curtis Neville, 36, married, class A, an edge-setter, said he had seven children under twelve years of age.  Four of his brothers had been serving in the Army and two had been discharged as unfit for military service. – December 31^st.

William G. Dickens, 37, class A, married, said he was an operator on a Rex pulling-over machine.  He had twice had rheumatic fever.  He had six children, five of them being under twelve years of age. – December 31^st, to be re-examined meantime.

David Magee, 37, class A, married, an edge-setter, said that two brothers had been killed in the war, one was permanently disabled, one was seriously wounded, and another was discharged after serving five months.  Another brother had been serving in France for two years.  Applicant enlisted himself, but his health broke down while in training in England, and eventually he was discharged.  He had now been put in category A.  He had undergone an operation, and still had the same complaint. – Exemption until Dec. 31^st, and to be re-examined meanwhile.

A personal appeal was made by Ralph Bond, 37, married, class A, a finisher.  He said he had six children under twelve years of age and was cultivating 50 poles of allotment. – December 31^st, and to be medically re-examined.

Fredk. Leonard Tysoe, 30, single, C2, made a personal appeal.  He said he was a boot operative, but, owing to ill-health, he had for the last three or four years spent his time in the open air, doing his father’s gardening, with a view of curing chronic ear disease. – Exemption until December 31^st, to find work of national importance meanwhile.

William Martin, 28, married, class A, a clicker, appealed on domestic grounds, his wife being a chronic invalid. – December 31^st, final.

Fredk. Richardson, 36, heel maker, a conscientious objector, was given exemption until December 31^st, and asked to be medically re-examined.

Ernest Virgo, 31, class A, proprietor of a one-man business, was given exemption until Dec. 31^st, and to be re-examined.

Messrs. Ashford and Campion appealed for Fredk. George Edwin, 41, B1, motor lorry driver.  It was stated that he was engaged in delivering Army boot heels to the largest factories in Northampton. – December 31^st, final.

Walter Cave, on a personal appeal, was given until December 31^st.

Messrs. Holt Brothers, farmers, applied for F. C. Bettles. – Exemption until a substitute is found.

Rushden Military Tribunal
Exemption for a Fireman - Agricultural Claims

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

Robert C. Timpson, 36, married, class A, a carpenter and joiner, made a personal appeal, and said he had been a member of the Fire Brigade for the past ten years, and was called up on duty in case of air raids. – Exemption to December 31^st.

Wm. Arthur Dickens, 37, single, class A, a cow-keeper and dairyman, of the Court Estate, made a personal appeal, and said he was cultivating 20 acres of land, including 6 acres of ploughed land. – Three months’ exemption.

Germain Warren appealed for his son, Frank Warren, 25, single, C2, who was working on the land, including 10 acres of arable land, all garden produce. – Three months’ exemption.

The Lightstrung Cycle Co. appealed for Alec Thompson, class A. – Exemption until Dec. 31^st, to be medically re-examined meanwhile.

James Horace Compton, 30, married, class A, a clicker on Government work, was given exemption to Dec. 31^st, to be re-examined.