| Description | North Riding appeal tribunal number: 3280
Appeal against conscription of: Nathan Martin
Age: 18
Address: 46 Queen Street, South Bank
Occupation: Electrician etc
Local tribunal: Eston Urban District Council
Central tribunal: No
Military Service Act 1916 or Attested: Attested
Grounds for appeal: d) serious hardship
Appellant: Thompson A. Bennett, employer, Electric Theatre
Summary of case: This man is employed as a Cinematograph Operator at the Empire South Bank. We cannot get anyone to replace him, and this youth has been trained because of our regular and then our deputy operators joined the colours. Chas Bennett the acting partner has 2 sons in the Army and other two on Munitions. Both skilled Mechanics, one at Armstrong Whitworths Newcastle and the other at Bolckow Vaughan & Co. Grangetowm. All four of these sons were previously employed at this Empire. Martin, the man now claimed for, devotes a considerable portion of the day to ring one of the two taxicabs belonging to Mr Bennett, and he and the other Driver have signed on at the Police Station for emergency duties with these taxies Mr Bennett is also an undertake and as all his drivers have gone Martin assists in driving at funerals. This man has also to examine films and repair them, this being very necessary as a damage film night very easily result in a disastrous fire. Every endeavour has been made to train girls for this work and the working of the cinematograph apparatus but without success He has also to see to the arrival and dispatch of films and look after all the engines for lighting &c. Seating capacity of Empire 1400. This man is the sole support a widowed mother and has two brothers in the Army.
Supporting evidence: No
Date and decision of North Riding Appeal Tribunal: 30 Mar 1917 Dismissed Decision of Local Tribunal to stand |