| Description | North Riding appeal tribunal number: 3704
Appeal against conscription of: Joseph Bradley Thompson
Age: 28
Address: Cemetery Lodge, Redcar
Occupation: Grave Digger
Local tribunal: Redcar Urban District Council
Central tribunal: No
Military Service Act 1916 or Attested: Attested
Grounds for appeal: Not stated
Appellant: C Sill, Clerk to Redcar Burial Board, employer
Summary of case: There were several appeals to the local tribunal by the man and his employer from which he was granted exemptions. The grounds for the appeal were that he was appointed superintendent of the cemetery on his father's death three months earlier and on account of scarcity of labour has been compelled to carry out the duties without assistance. The cemetery is 6 acres in extent and he is responsible for all grave digging and gardening. The local tribunal considered that the burial of dead bodies is of national importance, as this country has not yet adopted the system in vogue in Germany. Then the military representative appealed. The military representative stated - that the man is of the age and medical fitness of men who are urgently required for the Army so someone of lower category should be found to do the work and that some of the members present at the tribunal could hardly help being biased in coming to a decision owing to their connection with the Redcar Burial Board. The decision was to allow the military appeal, certificate to be withdrawn but the man not to be called up before 31 July 1917. His employer, the Redcar Burial Board for whom he was the Cemetery Superintendent, appealed for a further month exemption to enable them to make arrangements for him to go. However, this appears not to have been considered as leave to appeal the previous decision was refused. {see also NRCC/CL 9/1/3704]
Supporting evidence: No
Date and decision of North Riding Appeal Tribunal: 9 June 1917. Allowed. Military appeal. Certificate to be withdrawn. |