Page 11 - Sylvia Malt - Side by Side v1

In October 1915, the GPO advised families who wished to send parcels to prisoners-of-war that
despatch notes were no long 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
the 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 everyday. 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.

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19 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
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conditional exemption until 30 June.
George William Martin (29), Woodside Road, Sidcup: Bread baker. Appeal dismissed.
Sidney James Covill (25), Northcote Road, Sidcup: Plumber and hot-water engineer.
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Deferred exemption until 30 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
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on his behalf and he was given deferred exemption until 14 June.