Looking back to 1916 from COs' Day 2018

For International Conscientious Objectors' Day, 15 May
A day in the implementation of the Military Service Act

as reported in The Scotsman, 10 June 1916, p.8, cols. 6-7

When newspapers had pages full of news...
Amongst the war news reported on the 10th of June in The Scotsman (Edinburgh) there are several reports about reactions and resistance to conscription, introduced nationally in the Military Service Acts of 1916 (January and May). One of these features Dr John MacCallum, mentioned previously in a review of Robert Duncan's Objectors and Resisters and more extensively in a subsequent post.

Transcription: 

ARGYLLSHIRE ASSISTANT MEDICAL OFFICER

_______________

FINED AS AN ABSEBTEE

In Oban Sheriff Court yesterday – before Sheriff Substitute Wallace – John Cameron MacCallum, M.B., Ch.B., Muckairn Manse, Taynuilt, recently Executive Tuberculosis Officer and Assistant Medical Officer for the Country of Argyll, appeared on a charge that, having been deemed to have been enlisted and transferred to the Army Reserve under the Military Service Act, and having on 13^th may been called up from the Reserve for service, he failed to report himself at Stirling Castle on 30^th May in accordance with the requirements of the notice served on him.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

In reply to the Sheriff-Substitute, he admitted a breach of the statute, but, in view of the conscientious objections which he held to participating in war service in any capacity, he maintained he could tender no other plea than that of not guilty. He acknowledged that he had not received a certificate for exemption as a conscientious objector, although he had applied for one.

Formal evidence having been led by the Procurator-Fiscal, the Sheriff-Substitute convicted the accused, and sentenced him to pay a fine of £2, or one week’s imprisonment. 

On leaving the dock, Dr MacCallum was taken into custody by a military escort.

 - The Scotsman, Saturday June 10, 1916, p.8, col.6-7. Military Service: Labour and Recruiting

Dr MacCallum was of course not alone in his stand, as shown in the next two reports.

Further details on most of the other COs listed can be found at:
https://search.livesofthefirstworldwar.org/search/world-records/conscientious-objectors-register-1914-1918.

As is also well know and well documented, all was not quiescent on the labour front either - not only on 'Red' Clydeside.

The same columns contain brief notices of how conscription was affecting essential work (‘agricultural labour’, ‘female labour in bakeries’, and ‘Fife colliery’), and several industrial disputes: Edinburgh corporation workers wanting an increase in wages; Edinburgh painters rumoured to be nearing a settlement after 11 weeks; and Dundee calender [sic*] workers back to work after 3 months on strike with an expectation of having their claim considered. Not to mention Galsgow muntions workers and the vexed question of postponing the traditional ‘Glasgow Fair’ annual holidays, in the national interest of course.

Calender Girls?

(There were many women working in the jute industry in Dundee even before the war)

*CALENDERER / CALENDERMAN / CALENDER WORKER - operated a machine which pressed using two large rollers (calender) used to press and finish fabrics or paper. - Answer to an online query.


The official labour and trade union movement of course supported the war...but not unanimously.

Finally, column 8 on the same page under the heading Biographical Notes records the sad fate of many of those who had gone to the war. The whole page can be seen as a pdf.      

Sections of CO group photographs, as featured on the cover of

Voices from War and Some Labour Struggles (Edinburgh, Mercat Press, 1995), ed. Ian MacDougall

(no picture credits given other than for the cover design as a whole).

For more events on 15th May see Peace Pledge Union:

http://www.ppu.org.uk/coday/coday2018.html

And a related news story from Edinburgh, 15-5-2018:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-44110224

------------------------------------

POSTSCRIPT:
Another small part of the story, this time from Aberdeen -
National Council Against Conscription (Aberdeen) (1916) 
"During World War One, the National Council Against Conscription was established in response to the Military Service Bills of 1916, which introduced conscription for men between 18 and 40. The Council opposed conscription as an infringement on civil liberties and campaigned against the bill seeking to stop it passing through Parliament. The Council was one of many groups operating at the time, such as The No-Conscription Fellowship, and these groups monitored the work of the military tribunals and gave advice to the men who appeared before them. The Council changed its name in 1916 to The National Council for Civil Liberties (n.b. there was another organisation with the same
name from the early 1930s and which became Liberty, as it is known today).
"There was a branch in Aberdeen and William Davidson, a stores porter, Vice President of the Aberdeen Independent Labour Party, was secretary.
"References: Conscientious Objectors Register 1914 – 1918 at Imperial War Museum website (record of William Davidson)."

Conscientious Objectors from Lewis, continuing.

As well as Donald Maclennan, three other men from Lewis, as previously noted, appear on the Pearce Register. Their varying experiences in the First World War, according to the records on that database, are looked at here. In addition the Appeal Tribunal files for two of them have been consulted.

1. Donald Morrison, Garrabost.

First name(s)	Donald
Last name	Morrison
Marital status	Single
Occupation	Student (Divinity)
Age	22.1
Birth year	1894
Year	1916
Address	32, Garrabost
Address 2	Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
Local authority	Stornoway Burgh
County	Ross And Cromarty
Country	Scotland
Latitude	58.2
Longitude	-6.39
Ordnance Survey reference	NB420320
Service number	2451
Motivation	-
War Service	NCC (Non-Combatant Corps) 14.8.16 Fort George, (3 Scottish)
WO363	true
Sources	NA/WO363 - on line - incomplete
Record set	Conscientious Objectors' Register 1914-1918

As in the case of Donald Maclennan, assignment to the NCC indicates that Donald Morrison would have been granted partial exemption (ECS - Exemption from Combatant Service only) by the local tribunal, probably in Stornoway. Since there is no mention of appeal, court-martial or prison in the case of the latter, it is likely that he accepted this, rather than being among the  "absolutists" who refused any form of military service.

2. Murdo Macleod, Cromore

The Appeal Tribunal record for Murdo Macleod can be viewed as a pdf (11 pages)

Appeal against Conscription, 1916 by Murdo Maclood, Conscientious Objector - Excerpts

The file is prefaced by a handwritten letter dated 1^st April 1916 protesting against the decision of the Appeal tribunal (image above).

It may seem surprising that someone who described his occupation as “Fisherman and working on the croft” should display such a degree of literacy and specialised knowledge as is apparent in the letter and statements here, but only, perhaps, to those not acquainted with islanders of his generation.

Notice of Appeal. (Stamped, Stornoway, 20-3-16).

(2) Grounds on which appeal made:

(a) On grounds of my constitutional relation to “Second” Reformation in (1638016490 overthrown at the Revolution Settlement for which reasons, principally, we as a body are dissenters from Settlement, which testimony was issued by the Reformed Presbytery, first in 1761 renewed in 1777, and again in 1842, and publicly adhered to in “Chisholm’s Defence of Reformation Principles” (1913) with which I identify myself.

(b)   Since the Revolution Settlement the “Catholic Relief Bill” contrary to “Act for preventing the growth of papacy” in King William’s First Parliament Nov.23. 1700; again “Change in King’s Coronation Oath” 1910, and finally the recent “Special Envoy for the Pope”; for which reasons, I, conscientiously, cannot serve under the Military Service Act.

Murdo Macleod        

13/3/-16         

For Local Tribunal

The Tribunal after hearing the Applicant disallowed the claim but recommended him for non-combatant service.    

Stornoway 11^th March 1916

For Appeal Tribunal (Ross & Cromarty and Sutherland, Lewis Section)

            Appellant heard, Appeal refused.

Stornoway 31^st March 1916.

Leave to appeal further [to Central Tribunal] was also refused, the appellant not having stated any reasons sufficient justify a further appeal.

Reasons in support of the [original] Application *

            I had accepted the testimony of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland, previous to the outbreak of this war, as published in the years 1761, 1777, 1842; and published and adopted in 1913 by that body of men with whom I identified myself, in a book “Defence of Reformation Principles”. The aforementioned position is against any part in this war.

This attitude had been taken up by us before any word was heard of this war.

Murdo Macleod                    

26/I/-16

*A longer written statement (4 pages) is on file, further explaining Murdo’s conscientious objections in terms of his religious beliefs:

… God has commanded rulers to rule “in the fear of the Lord”, and has given them explicit rules in His Word… and no ruler or government has any authority (that of a Tyrant) to enact laws, and force the same on people, which are inconsistent with the rules of the Word of God.

… I therefore adhere to the position of dissent…

… No power, can maintain the Kingdoms that rebel against the Great King

… For these reasons I can’t undertake to serve under the Military Service Act.

Decision of the Tribunal: [against which the appeal was lodged]

Stornoway 11^th March 1916

The Tribunal disallowed the claim. Applicant recommended for non-combatant service and enrolled at once in the R.A.M.C. [Royal Army Medical Corps].

Murdo McLean Chairman.      

His reasons, considered in detail, may be unique among COs; they are certainly unusual. The underlying principle of refusing to abdicate his conscience and responsibility for vital decisions was, however, shared by most if not all, and he turned out to be among the most resolute, as his record shows:

• Sent to 4(R) Seaforth Highlanders  
• Court Martial at Invergordon 10.11.16 - sentenced to 112 days hard labour
• Central Tribunal at Wormwood Scrubs 8.12.16 - refused to accept the Home Office Scheme (administered by the Brace Committee) conditions
• Court Martial Ripon 21.2.18 -  sentenced to 1 year with hard labour)
• Served time in: Wormwood Scrubs; Stafford Military Prison; Winson Green Civil Prison, Birmingham.

By Jan.1919 had served 4 sentences and two years.

First name(s)     Murdo

Last name           McLeod

Occupation         Fisherman and crofter

Age        29

Birth year            1887

Year       1916

Address               28, Cromore

Address 2            Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Local authority  Stornoway Burgh

County Ross And Cromarty

Country                Scotland

Latitude               58.2

Longitude            -6.39

Ordnance Survey reference        NB420320

Absolutist            Yes

Motivation          Reformed Presbyterian 

Military Service Tribunal                MST (Military Service Tribunal) Lewis District 11.3.16 - ECS (Exemption from Combatant Service), non-combatant; Ross, Cromarty and Sutherland Appeal 20.3.16 - refused, ECS (Exemption from Combatant Service) confirmed; Central Tribunal at Wormwood S. 8.12.16 - refused to accept HOS (The Home Office Scheme, administered by the Brace Committee) conditions

Central Tribunal                Central Tribunal Nos. W.2257 Refused HOS

War Service        4(R) Seaforth Highlanders; CM (Court Martial) Invergordon 10.11.16 - 112 days.HL (With hard labour); CM (Court Martial) Rugeley 14.6.17 - 6 months HL (With hard labour); CM (Court Martial) Ripon 21.2.18 - 1yr.HL (With hard labour)

Prison   Wormwood S.; Stafford MP (Military Prison); Winson Green CP (Civil Prison), Birmingham; By Jan.1919 had served 4 sentences and two years.

WO363 false

Sources                NA/WO86/72/111, 76/98, 80/140; FH/FSC(1916/20)/SER3 - COIB Two Year Men; NA/MH47/1 Central Tribunal Minutes; FH/SER/VOPC/Cases/5(4104); NAS/SC33/62/1/20.

Record set          Conscientious Objectors' Register 1914-1918

3. Charles Record, Stornoway, originally from Essex

In 1911 Charles was working as a "servant" while training to be a teacher, and living with his parents and sister (also a teacher) at 58 Borthwick Road, Stratford.

First name(s)     Last name           Relationship      Marital status    Sex         Occupation         Age        Birth year            Birth place

George William Record  Head     Married                Male      Decorative Japanner      47           1864       London Bethnal Green  

Annie    Record  Wife      Married                Female -              45           1866       London Stepney              

Charles Record  Son        Single   Male     Servant In Training For Teacher 19           1892       Essex Wanstead Slip      

Gladys  Record  Daughter             Single    Female Elementary Student Teacher      18           1893       Essex Wanstead Slip

Five years later he was a science teacher in the Nicolson Institute, Stornoway, living at 28 Point Street.

The whole Appeal Tribunal record for Charles Record can be viewed as a pdf here (8 pages)

Appeal against Conscription, 1916 by Charles Record, Conscientious Objector - Excerpts

The file is prefaced by a handwritten letter dated 20^th May 1916 protesting against the decision of the Appeal tribunal (image of first of two pages above).

Notice of Appeal. (Stamped, Stornoway, 20-3-16 [Same date as for Murdo Macleod]).

(2) Grounds on which appeal made: My application was for total exemption on grounds of conscientious objection. By granting me exemption from combatant service the Local Tribunal apparently admitted my sincerity.

  I appeal for total exemption; so that I may not be compelled to assist in the taking of life.

  In particular I appeal for exemption from work involving the taking of the Military Oath. At present I can disobey laws which conflict with my conscience, if willing to suffer the penalties. By taking the oath I surrender that right, by solemnly promising to obey all commands of the military authorities; thereby handing over my conscience to them. This is quite impossible for me; especially since I object to the purpose for which the military organisation exists, & therefore to most of its requirements. Even though I might never receive a command which conflicted with my conscience, I cannot make the offer to discard my convictions.

Charles Record         

March 4^th 1916

Reasons for the decision of the Local (Stornoway) Tribunal

The Tribunal having heard the Applicant refused the Application, but recommended him for non-combatant service.    [2-3-16]

For Appeal Tribunal (Ross & Cromarty and Sutherland, Lewis Section)

            The Tribunal having heard the appellant refused the Appeal.

Leave to appeal [further, to Central Tribunal] was also refused, the appellant not having stated any grounds to justify persuasion [?].

Stornoway 31^st March 1916. [Same date as for Murdo Macleod]

Reasons in support of the [original] Application

            As a Christian I cannot undertake the responsibility of inflicting death.

My international ideals convince me that I ought not to take part in international disputes which involve the killing of my fellows.

I believe all occupations designed to assist the military authorities to partake of the same nature as actual combatant service.

[A written statement (in duplicate) accompanies the forms*].

Charles Record         

*This is on file and reinforces the points summarised here.

Decision of the Tribunal: [against which the appeal was lodged]

Stornoway 2^nd March 1916

The Tribunal refused the Application and recommend that applicant be relieved from combatant service and enrolled at once in the R.A.M.C. [Royal Army Medical Corps].

John Mackenzie Chairman.     

What Happened Next

The Pearce Register gives details of the penalties Charles duly underwent in accordance with his conscience: 

• Became an Absentee (i.e. left his place of residence), probably when the appeal was refused. 
• Arrested 30.6.16
• Drafted into the Seaforth Highlanders (having refused non-combatant service) 
• Court Martial at Ripon,14.7.16 - sentenced to 1 year imprisonment
• Served time in Northallerton (Civil Prison) and Durham (Civil Prison).
• Came before the Central Tribunal at Wormwood Scrubs, 1.9.16 - found to be CO class A, genuine
• Referred to Brace Committee for work under the  Home Office Scheme
• In work centres at Wakefield, 12-10-16, and Dartmoor, 28.8.17 and 21.2.1918.

[Murdo Macleod - see above - was also sent to the Seaforths, and court-martialled at Ripon]

First name(s)     Charles

Last name           Record

Occupation         Science teacher, Stornoway School Board

Age        24

Birth year            1892

Year       1916

Address               28, Point Street

Address 2            Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Local authority  Stornaway Burgh

County Ross And Cromarty

Country                Scotland

Latitude               58.2

Longitude            -6.39

Ordnance Survey reference        NB420320

Motivation          Religious [and Internationalist]

Military Service Tribunal                MST (Military Service Tribunal) Stornoway Burgh 2.3.16 - refused; Ross, Cromarty and Sutherland Appeal 20.5.16 - refused, granted ECS (Exemption from Combatant Service) with a recommendation to RAMC; Central Tribunal at Wormwood S. 1.9.16 - CO class A, to Brace Committee

Central Tribunal                Central Tribunal Nos. W.1023 Class: A - Genuine

War Service        4 (R) Seaforth Highlanders; CM (Court Martial) Ripon 14.7.16 - 1 yr imprisonment.

Magistrates Court            Arrested 30.6.16

Magistrates Court comments     Absentee

Prison   Northallerton CP (Civil Prison); Durham CP (Civil Prison)

Work Centre      HOS (The Home Office Scheme, administered by the Brace Committee) 12.10.16 at Wakefield; at Dartmoor 28.8.17 and 21.2.1918

WO363 false

Sources                Tribunal 27.7.16; Cumbria RO(Carlisle)D/Mar/4/97; NA/WO86/71/38; Sanctuary Autograph Book WYB8/2/1; NA/MH47/1 Central Tribunal Minutes; Not found in NA/WO363; FH/SER/VOPC/Cases/7(1559); NAS/SC33/62/1/1;

Record set          Conscientious Objectors' Register 1914-1918

A Stornoway Girl in New York, 100 Years Ago

A world away from the war...?

A Letter from Canada, May 1916

The writer of the letter transcribed below, aged 22 at the time of writing, was the daughter of a Stornoway shopkeeper. After some time as a student at the prestigious Atholl Crescent College of Domestic Science in Edinburgh, in 1913 she married Joe Flett from Findochty, whose family's fish-curing business took him to Canada in August 1915. This was before the introduction of conscription, but his involvement in work of national importance (food supply) might have rendered him exempt in any case.

Outward Bound passenger records show Joseph Flett, aged 27, Fish Curer, sailed 20/08/1915 on the Tabasco from Liverpool to St Johns, Newfoundland. Country of last permanent residence England, intended future permanent residence Newfoundland.

Outward Bound passenger records show Mrs. Flett, H'Wife, sailed 23/04/1916 on the Tuscania from Liverpool to New York, not shown to be accompanied by husband or child: Country of last permanent residence “Br. Protectorates” [maybe they didn’t know where the (old) Hebrides were?!]; intended future permanent residence USA.
[Some of this doesn't quite fit, but perhaps her seasickness prevented her details being recorded properly if this was done after embarkation, and explains her child not being close by - see letter.]

In fact Mrs. Flett (Lizzie) had her 15-month-old daughter with her and they were going to join Joe in Canada. He met them off the boat in New York and they spent the next 4 days in the city.

Atlantic crossing record for Joe

Atlantic crossing record for Lizzie

Border crossing (Canada-US) for Joe, 27-4-1916

--------------------------

A. Flett & Co.

of Buckie Scotland

Herring Curers

Curling, Newfoundland

21st May 1916

Dear Ma,

            At last I have reached my destination & found time to write. It is more than a fortnight now since we landed; we spent a week in New York & took 4 days to go from there to St Johns where we stayed another few days & finally reached here last Wednesday.

            Marjorie is none the worse of all this moving about & is as fat & rosy as ever. The people in New York used to stand & gaze at her rosy cheeks, the children are all very pale & pasty there. She was not a bit sick on the "Tuscania" but I was bad the first two days. I don't know what would have become of Marjorie those days, but fortunately I fell in with an Irish girl who took a great fancy to her & looked after her all the time. She was going out to Bermuda as housekeeper to a naval doctor; she was one of the most decent creatures I have ever met. She thought that babies should get a bit of everything that was going & when I came up on the 3rd day I found Margie having a high old time with peppermints & ginger cake. She even used to get her share of biscuits & cheese at lunch.

            It is a wonder to me she wasn't half dead, but she fairly enjoyed the trip & was the pet of the whole ship - "Red coat" was all the rage. You would have laughed to see her trotting down the deck in a breeze with the deep sea rowl & her head down in the approved style. Joe met us at New York & fortunately she went to him at once - I was quite thankful. He was wild because I did not travel first class & understood all the time that Mary was coming with me. We had a most glorious time in New York, it beats London & Paris to sticks - better shops, better theatres, better restaurants & better fashions & far nicer things to eat. I was just enchanted with the famous Broadway & 5th Avenue. We went about all the time with Mr & Mrs Vidvotsky wealthy Russians in the herring trade. They were awfully nice to us - their servant took Margie out in the afternoons & stayed with her at nights. We bought a nice small American pram which was most useful - you should have seen Joe pushing it down 5th Avenue - I wouldn't dare put my hand near it. We used to take her out ourselves in the mornings, then the girl took her to the park in the afternoon while Mrs Vidvotsky & I went to a matinee or shopping & our husbands did business. Then after we had put Margie to bed we would all go off together to dinner, the theatre & have supper at some dancing cabaret. Mrs Vidvotsky is awfully nice - she is only 24 & has been married 5 years - they have no family. She showed me round all the shops - I bought two nice hats & some white blouses also a white linen dress. The childrens clothes were simply lovely. I got some nice dresses for Marjorie - a fine yellow linen empire, with turned back cuffs & collar of white & a black velvet belt - short sleeves. She is a dream in it with blue socks & black patent slippers; I also got her a blue in same style & a white linen with blue smocking. All this description is for Mary A's edification.

            We came up to St John's by boat & of course I was sick again. It is quite a busy place but the shops are not up to much and the fashions very demodé. If I was old fashioned in New York, I was the biggest swell in St John's by a long chalk. This place is nearly a day's journey from St John's. It is very quiet, but pretty & I think I will like it all right. Joe is not yet sure whether we will be here for any length of time. He likes being here very much & says he has no desire to return to Scotland. He says I may go home for 2 months every winter if I like, but who would be bothered crossing the Atlantic in winter for that.

            Joe is quite balmy about Marjorie - I found that everyone in the place had seen her photo & knew her name, age & weight & one kid had a doll called after her. [...]

            I will be expecting a letter soon with all the news. [...]

                        Love from us all

                                    Lizzie

Birthplace of the couple's two younger children

"Curling is a sub-division of the city of Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador. Located in the humber arm of the Bay of Islands, Curling was originally a fishing community. It is the oldest section of Corner Brook."

Studio portrait of Joe

Studio portrait of Lizzie

Toddler Marjorie
in Newfoundland

The letter was addressed to her mother in Francis Street, Stornoway

SS Tuscania was a luxury liner of the Cunard subsidiary Anchor Line, named after a town in Italy. She was torpedoed in 1918 by the German U-boat UB-77 while transporting American troops to Europe and sank, sending 210 people to their deaths.^[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Tuscania_(1914)
See also; http://www.islayinfo.com/loss-troopship-tuscania-islay.html

A commemorative service was held on the centenary of the Tuscania tragedy (BBC Scotland news item 5-2-2018, also available in Gaelic.) [And see comment below].