| Description | North Riding appeal tribunal number: 5655
Appeal against conscription of: Benjamin Simpson
Age: 35
Address: 8 North Street, Scarborough
Occupation: Fish merchant etc
Local tribunal: Scarborough Borough Council
Central tribunal: No
Military Service Act 1916 or Attested: Military Service Act
Grounds for appeal: Not stated
Appellant: Benjamin Simpson
Summary of case: The firm in which I am a partner has been established over 40 years and does a very large turnover amounting to between £17,000 and £18,000 per year. My partner Frederick Simpson who was the only other active partner, was granted conditional exemption by the Scarborough local tribunal last year but on appeal by the military representative the North Riding Appeal Tribunal gave him a limited time only on the ground that I could carry on the business. He accordingly joined the Army leaving me in sole charge. We carry on business at Scarborough, North Shields and Yarmouth and if I am called up to the Colours the old established business will be broken up although the following 4 families are wholly or largely dependent: (1) myself, wife and two children (2) my widowed mother whom I solely maintain (3) my said cousin and his family (4) my uncle who is in poor health. I am sole manager in Scarborough of the Steam Trawlers Electric and Elbe. I am manager of the S/D Witham which is on Government Charter. I am a Director with heavy responsibilities of management of the Quebec Steam Trawling Co Ltd., The Albion Steam Trawling Co Ltd., The Electric Steam Fishing Co and the Alliance Fish Selling Co., and am sole charge of the Scarborough affairs of these Companies and firms and all bookkeeping and financial matters including War risks and Maritime insurances are in my hands. 5 men have gone into the Army from my firm. I claim I am in a certified occupation and that all my work is important being connected with food supplies.
Supporting evidence: No
Date and decision of North Riding Appeal Tribunal: 29 Aug 1918 Allowed to 31 Dec 1918. |