Civil War Case Study

Those objecting to, or seeking exemption from, war service had to justify their stance before a Military Service Tribunal. In the locality these committees were set up in Epworth, Crowle, Gainsborough and Scunthorpe and consisted of magistrates, councillors, clergy and tradesmen. In less than fifteen minutes they would hear each man’s pleas and come to a decision. Those who had the nous to work the system, or who had employed a local solicitor to argue their case, could delay being sent for training by up to a year. These temporary exemptions allowed men some time to arrange for someone to cover their duties. As it turned out, many of those who objected to bearing arms on the grounds of conscience took on non-combatant duties, such as working
Eric, a second lieutenant in the 4th. Lincoln's, was 23 years of age and had been in the trenches for about a week when he fell victim to a bullet from a sniper’s rifle. His captain said of him that he was, ‘exceedingly keen in his work and never expected his men to go through any fatigue that he could not do himself.’ Mr. J. J. Cranidge presiding over a meeting of the Crowle Tribunal accepted a proposal for a vote of sympathy and condolence for Alderman Stephenson and family on the loss of their son. The vote passed in silence, after which Alderman Stephenson ‘responded feelingly and expressed his thanks.’ When the tribunal got down to business, a farmer from Wroot appeared before the committee to seek exemption for his sons, ‘because they wouldn’t be able to stand life in the army,’ Alderman Stephenson, quite understandably, was in no mood for compromise and gave him short shrift. Equally, when a 33 year old Garthorpe farmer applied for exemption for himself and his three labourers, Alderman Stephenson found it astounding that there should be four men of military age on a farm of moderate size! When the applicant responded that he could not get anyone to fill their places, Alderman Stephenson retorted, ‘I am afraid you will have to!’ By the end of the war the Alderman Stephenson had lost three
Some ruled that farmer’s sons were dealt with in an unfair way; there were suspicions over any farmer who applied to keep more than one son at home. It was said that some deliberately dispensed with their labourers to ensure that their own sons might obtain exemptions. Some criticised openly young men of military age seen milking cows, driving milk carts or doing work that was a travesty to the phrase, ‘occupations of national importance.’ A Lincolnshire major went further when he said: ‘The reason recruiting is so bad round this district is that the farmers’ sons, instead of coming up as they ought to do, and volunteering to serve their country, are driving about in motor cars, and generally leading the life of a slacker. That is why the other men won’t come forward. They won’t come until they see these men enlist. The result now is that recruiting is practically at a standstill here. There are men who can be spared, and easily spared. The men who have come forward in this district are principally the labourers, and more of these will come if they get the lead.’ Alderman Blaydes’ response to many farmers who applied for exemption was that nothing could make up for the work these men would be called upon to do in the trenches. From the farmers’ point of view, many believed they would not be able to carry on farming, as it was absurd and ridiculous for the government to urge farmers to