| Description | North Riding appeal tribunal number: 327
Appeal against conscription of: Basil Taylor
Age: 22
Address: Herdholt, Great Ayton, Yorks
Occupation: Insurance broker and secretary to building society
Local tribunal: Stokesley Rural District Council
Central tribunal: Central tribunal case number W.1973
Military Service Act 1916 or Attested: Military Service Act
Grounds for appeal: f) conscientious objection
Appellant: Basil Taylor
Summary of case: Taylor states in his appeal to the local tribunal that whilst fully recognising the right of the State to demand the co-operation of the individual in furtherance of any object which is for the benefit of humanity, but that the State does not have a right to force a man to violate what he believes is the will of God.. Believed his best service would be to stay in his existing work. Local tribunal granted exemption from non-combatant service only on 17 March 1916. Taylor appealed to North Riding appeal tribunal on grounds that the decision was contrary to the spirit of the Military Service Act; to public statements of Cabinet Ministers, to the Local Government Boards instructions to Tribunals, and to decisions of other Tribunals in similar cases. Local tribunal adds that they did not think his work was of such national importance to justify exempting an unmarried man of military age
Supporting evidence: Yes
Date and decision of North Riding Appeal Tribunal: 7 Apr 1916. Dismissed |