| Description | North Riding appeal tribunal number: 4067
Appeal against conscription of: Harry Melton
Age: 37
Address: 8 Manor Road, Scarborough
Occupation: Wine merchant's manager
Local tribunal: Scarborough Borough Council
Central tribunal: No
Military Service Act 1916 or Attested: Military Service Act
Grounds for appeal: None stated
Appellant: Douglas Jamieson, Military representative
Summary of case: The military representative states it is no longer in the national interest that this man remains in civil life. However, Melton's employer, Thomas Laughton, owns or leases a number of hotels, restaurants etc as well as wholesale and retail merchant, and it is the biggest business in Scarborough. He has suffered lengthy periods of ill health and has relied on Melton to run the whole business. He had been rejected twice by the army as being too short but had now become liable under the Review of Exceptions Act, his medical category being B1. Subsequent to the decision given below, Melton and Laughton employed a barrister to pursue an appeal and this was not viewed positively by at least one member of the tribunal who felt that a decision had been taken and that circumstances had not changed significantly since that decision. It could open the gates to further similar cases. The Clerk of the North Riding Appeal Tribunal responded that they were not prepared to grant leave to re-hear the case.
Supporting evidence: Yes
Date and decision of North Riding Appeal Tribunal: 13 Aug 1917. Allowed Military appeal. Certificate to be varied and exemption granted to 1 Jan 1918. Final. |