| Description | North Riding appeal tribunal number: 695
Appeal against conscription of: Tom Gascoyne
Age: 24
Address: Broughton, Malton, Yorks
Occupation: Tailor
Local tribunal: Malton Rural District Council
Central tribunal: Central tribunal case number W.994
Military Service Act 1916 or Attested: Military Service Act
Grounds for appeal: d) serious hardship, f) conscientious objection
Appellant: Tom Gascoyne
Summary of case: Claim for absolute exemption to war. In his statement to the North riding appeal tribunal he states that I hold human life to be absolutely sacred and believe in the International Brotherhood of Man. Gascoyne will not accept non-combatant duties (even making uniforms) as this would support the pursuance of the war. Claim dismissed by the local tribunal which do not believe his claims of conscience as there were contradictions in his statements at his hearing. They state that Gascoyne was brought up as a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church
..he seceded from this body soon after he left school. He stated that he now had no religion but appealed as a Socialist and a member of the Independent Labour Party whose creed was opposed to all forms of warfare whether of a combatant or non-combatant nature. North Riding appeal tribunal dismiss on same grounds. Appeal made to Central Tribunal.
Supporting evidence: No
Date and decision of North Riding Appeal Tribunal: 31 May 1916. Dismissed |