| Description | North Riding appeal tribunal number: 1655
Appeal against conscription of: Thomas Henry Air
Age: 30
Address: 12 King St, York
Occupation: Boat builder's assistant
Local tribunal: York City Council
Central tribunal: No
Military Service Act 1916 or Attested: Military Service Act
Grounds for appeal: d) serious hardship
Appellant: Major C A Herbert, Military Representative
Summary of case: On 5 Sep 1916 the York City tribunal granted Thomas Henry Air a temporary exemption until 6 Jan 1917. The appellant in that case was Air's father and employer, Thomas Air, Licensed Victualler, Boat Builder and Boat Proprietor, represented by George Crombie and Sons, Solicitors, 46 Stonegate, York. Thomas Air states that before the war he had employed up to eight men: Thomas Henry was now the sole able-bodied employee, the others, including his brother, having joined up. He was being assisted by two ‘cripples’ who were unable to manage aspects of the business, such as running the steam launch. Thomas Henry Air often assisted the police and other Authorities in finding persons who had drowned because the business owned the only proper set of grappling irons in the City. Finally, the appellant felt it was his duty to point out to the Military Authorities that there was 'insanity in the family'. One brother had died in Naburn Asylum and a fourth was in Bootham Park. The military representative appealed against the exemption on the grounds that his trade was not considered essential in the national interest and that a man of his age would be a valuable asset to the Army.
Supporting evidence: No
Date and decision of North Riding Appeal Tribunal: 25 Sept 1916. Dismissed.(Mil app ) |