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In October 1915, the GPO advised families who wished to send parcels to prisoners-of-war
that despatch notes were no longer required but every such parcel must bear on its cover
the name and address of sender, clearly written in ink. Customs declarations were still
required, in duplicate, for parcels addressed to prisoners-of-war in Holland.

Many thousands of men came forward from across the whole of the British Empire willing
to fight for Britain, but although Lord Kitchener’s 1914 Recruitment Campaign had
seen over one million men enlist, the terrible loss of life meant that within a year or so,
even more were needed. The Government saw no alternative but to increase numbers by
conscription - compulsory active service.

Parliament was deeply divided but recognised that because of the imminent collapse of the
morale of the French army, immediate action was essential and in March 1916 the Military
Service Act was passed. This imposed conscription on all single men aged between 18 and
41, but exempted the medically unfit, clergymen, teachers and certain classes of industrial
workers, such as those working in the armaments industry and coal mines.

Military Service Tribunals. Once a man received his call-up papers from the Army
Recruiting Office he could appeal to the Tribunal for exemption if he felt he had a very good
reason to do so. The Government set up a network of Military Service Tribunals across the
country, which consisted of respected members of the local community.

The Sidcup Military Services Tribunal was chaired by Arthur Blackman JP, together with Dr.
James Crombie JP, three other members as well as two representatives from the military
services and a representative from the working classes, as the authorities were sensitive to
the fact that many of them would feel victimised if none of the people making the decision
understood the financial and physical hardships they endured every day. Even so, the
members of the Tribunal were not prepared to accept many excuses, however sincerely
they were put forward. The Tribunal met monthly at the Sidcup Council Offices in Main
Road.

In desperate need of the men’s skills on the Home Front, employers and farmers often
made very strong arguments why the man should remain at home. On occasions, they felt
it important enough to employ legal assistance. By 1916, the men being called up for
military service had no misplaced illusions of heroism or adventure, as they might have
done in 1914.

19th May 1916 - Sidcup Military Tribunal

Percival Evershed (22), of High View Road, Sidcup: Cashier and book-keeper. Appeal
dismissed.
Harry John Turner (27), Corbylands Road, Sidcup. Loader, packer, general farm
labourer. Given exemption if remains in present occupation.
Malcolm Simmonds (28), Durham Road, Sidcup: Dr. Sutton appealed for his coachman.
Given exemption until June.
Charles Lovelace Jode (29), Durham Road, Sidcup. Fruiter’s assistant and book-keeper.
Given conditional exemption until 30th June.
George William Martin (29), Woodside Road, Sidcup: Bread baker. Appeal dismissed.
Sidney James Covill (25), Northcote Road, Sidcup. Plumber and hot-water engineer.
Deferred exemption until 30th June.
Albert Arthur Biggs (36), High Street, Sidcup. Wholesale and retail picture frame-maker.
Granted absolute exemption.
Richard Richardson (40), Main Road, Sidcup: Manager of Grocer shop. His employer
appealed on his behalf and he was given deferred exemption until 14th June.

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