| Description | North Riding appeal tribunal number: 4351
Appeal against conscription of: John James Browning Page
Age: 36
Address: Glenhyrst, Dringhouses, York.
Occupation: Agricultural merchant
Local tribunal: York City Council
Central tribunal: Yes 26 Sep 1917
Military Service Act 1916 or Attested: Military Service Act
Grounds for appeal: Not stated
Appellant: John James Browning Page
Summary of case: The appellant claimed financial loss, personal hardship, in reserved occupations being a seed merchant and in the corn trade and of more use to the State in his current business than as a B2, later grade three, doing service work. He is the only partner and manager now in William Page and Company who control and organise 3 grain warehouses, attendance at 22 corn markets weekly, agents of Gouldings Chemical Manures, manufacturers of wheat-meal and supply of seeds, all classes of grain, feedstuffs and cakes to farmers. All controlled by him. He purchases wheat, barley and oats from Ireland. The company has lost three employees already on military service, the only ledger clerk left has been granted exemption to 3 July 1917. Of the travellers left one is 70 the other 50 and subject to seizure and irregular attendance. The turnover of the business is about £6000 a week. The local tribunal referred to the case of Edward Bogg ([NRCC/CL 9/1/3886] who also works for the company and indicated that one of the two should go to the Army. His case goes to the North Riding Appeal Tribunal twice - 14 July 1917 when his appeal was dismissed, certificate withdrawn, not to be called up before 15 August 1917. At the rehearing on 22 Oct 1917 the appeal was dismissed but not to be called up before the 14 Nov 1917. There is a letter from the Central Tribunal dated 26 Sep 1917 finding that the cases of Page and Bogg were heard together, though the evidence was taken separately. Page's case is therefore remitted to the North Riding Appeal Tribunal to be heard on its merits into which the Central Tribunal has not entered. The procedure which was followed by the North Riding Appeal Tribunal was not as directed by the Central Tribunal to the disadvantage of both Page and Bogg. Page then requests to be able to appeal to the Central Tribunal on 25 Oct 1917 and this is refused by the North Riding Appeal Tribunal. 15 January 1918 the case was fully considered by the Director of Recruiting or the Director of National Service and it was arranged that Pages call up should be suspended. The reasons given include the enormous amount of agricultural work being done by the firm, the state of health and age of Mr Page Snr, 77, and the matter has been proceeding in this way for the last two or three months because one of the most important parts of the business viz:- purchasing of seeds, has already been arranged to start on. In the case of this further appeal he has been informed that if he now makes an application for a rehearing, the National Service representative will be instructed not to raise any technical objection. On January 1918 it is stated that his medical category has been reduced to grade 3 sedentary work, one stage from being rejected altogether. [See also NRCC/Cl 9/1/3885]
Supporting evidence: Yes
Date and decision of North Riding Appeal Tribunal: 22 Oct 1917. Re heard. Dismissed. |