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
Appeal against Conscription, 1916 by Murdo
Maclood, Conscientious Objector - Excerpts
The file is prefaced by a handwritten letter dated 1st
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 11th March 1916
For Appeal Tribunal (Ross & Cromarty and Sutherland,
Lewis Section)
Appellant heard, Appeal refused.
Stornoway 31st 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 11th 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.
- 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.
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.
The file is prefaced by a handwritten letter dated 20th May 1916 protesting against the decision of the Appeal tribunal (image of first of two pages above).
First name(s) Charles
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 20th 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 4th 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 31st 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 2nd 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.
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