Diagnosis nervous breakdown, mental illness:
Gleanings from the database
Allbutt, J A - Nervous breakdown.
Birmingham
Occupation - Master hairdresser
Motivation - Christadelphian
WNI (Pelham) (Work of National Importance under the Pelham Committee) 8.5.17 to 19.6.17
- Birmingham Metal and Munitions Co. and other war-related engineering work.
Illness - nervous breakdown.
Ballinger, John - Nervous breakdown while in prison,
106, Freer Road, Birchfields [Birchfield], Birmingham
Occupation - Insurance agent. Married, b.1880
Motivation - Quaker (Farm Street, Birmingham Prayer Meeting); 'Christian Internationalist'
Claimed AE (Absolute Exemption) - granted ECS (Exemption from Combatant Service)
NCC (Non-Combatant Corps) CM (Court Martial) Warwick 9.1.17 - 112 days HL (with hard labour).
Wormwood S. 2.2.17,16.3.17, 20.4.17 'left Wormwood S.',May'17
- nervous breakdown while in prison
Transfer from prison to Dartmoor... Transfer to Wakefield due to illness 21.6.17
Bent, George E - Nervous breakdown
Pendleton, Lancashire
Occupation - Accountant. Married, b.1879
WNI (Pelham) 13.9.16 to 20.11.17 British & Foreign Supply Association, Manchester
Illness - nervous breakdown
Butler, Cyril Lawrence Newton - Mental Illness - 'Feeblemindedness'
The Old Cottage, Bowdon, nr.Altricham, Cheshire
Occupation - Music pupil. b.1895
Motivation - C. of E. (Church of England)
CM Chester 18.6.17 - 112 days HL (with hard labour) commuted to imprisonment
Wormwood Scrubs; 18.9.17 transfer to 105 TRB (Training Reserve Battalion), Edinburgh
Discharged as unfit - Mental Illness - 'Feeblemindedness' - 21.12.17
Cooper, Sidney - Nervous Breakdown
34, Waterloo Road, Hunslet, Leeds
Occupation - Shop assistant. Single, b.1885
Absentee. Arrested 13.5.16 and sent to Richmond castle - May 1916
- frogmarched at Richmond - SC treated badly - article in "Sunday Chronicle" 28.5.16
Brutality case - see also Sylvia Pankhurst, 'The Home Front', p.315
NCC (Non-Combatant Corps) 24.5.16 Leeds, (2 Northern) York - ill-treated and sent to Brampton en le Morthen (?) Nervous Breakdown - to Military Hospital, Warrington; mental illness
Discharged and sent home 13.12.16; Home: 24.5.16 - 2.1.17 - no longer fit for service.
From his WO363 file:
13-1-17 Letter, Dr Joseph Clough: SC is now ill with Rheumatism of Hands.
He is a mental & physical wreck, not up to signing papers.
“His mental capacity has gone. He can only repeat parrot phrases.
His signature at present would not be valid.
Please do not bother him any more until I have (or some other doctor) given permission.”
– re Discharge papers, waiving any claim.
16-1-17 Reminder re form. Eventually signed by sister, witnessed by doctor.He is a mental & physical wreck, not up to signing papers.
“His mental capacity has gone. He can only repeat parrot phrases.
His signature at present would not be valid.
Please do not bother him any more until I have (or some other doctor) given permission.”
– re Discharge papers, waiving any claim.
Cox, Frederick John - Signs of mental derangement
Hawthorn Farm, Alburgh, Harleston, Norfolk
Occupation Farmer and coachbuilder. b.1886. Two brothers (below) also COs
Motivation - C. of E. (Church of England)
CM (Court Martial) Halton Camp, North 14.6.16 - 6 months HL Oxford CP
CM Halton Camp West, Wendover 14.10.16 - 1yr. HL Wormwood Scrubs
Transfer to Wandsworth CP 24.1.17 to 27.7.17 released by order of GOC
'Developed signs of mental derangement in Wandsworth CP'
- Illness - Wandsworth prison hospital
Cox, Oswald William - Nervous wreck - illness
Hawthorn Farm, Alburgh, Harleston, Norfolk
Occupation Farmer and coachbuilder/Agriculturalist. b.1880. Brother of above.
Motivation - 'Quaker'/'C.of E'
CM Halton Camp North 14.6.16 - 1yr.HL com.to 6 months Oxford CP
CM 20.10.16 Halton Camp, Wendover - 9 months Wormwood S;
CM Sutton 18.3.18 - 2yrs.HL -Serving his fourth sentence 1918 - 'seriously ill'.
By Jan.1919 had served 4 sentences and more than two years;
- Pentonville prison 'nervous wreck' - subject of petition to War Office
Illness, released on medical grounds 6.3.19
Cox, Edward Herbert - Neurasthenia - became ill
Hawthorn Farm, Alburgh, Harleston, Norfolk
Occupation Wheelwright. Single, b.1889. Two brothers above.
Refused to sign army papers or to give details
CM (Dovercourt 14.6.16 - 84 days, Ipswich CP; CM Felixstowe 16.9.16 - 2yrs. com. to 1 yr. HL.
Wormwood S. - became ill in prison, sent to Fulham Hospital - Neurasthenia - 16.12.16
Discharged as no longer fit for service with effect from 8.1.17
Evans, John William - Nervous breakdown
50, Londonderry Road, Stockton-on-Tees
Occupation - School teacher. Married, b.1884, 3 children
Assigned to WNI (Pelham) 20.7.16 Illness - nervous breakdown
Refuses WNI and refuses to leave his teaching post
Referred back to MST (Military Service Tribunal); Stockton on Tees 10.11.16
Absentee. Arrest reported 17.11.16
NCC (Non-Combatant Corps) (5 Northern) CM Rugeley 16.11.16 - 2yrs. HL Wormwood S.
Hart, Alfred Anscombe - Mental breakdown
2, Fakenham St., Islington
Occupation - Porter on the Tube. Single, b.1899
Motivation - IBSA [Int. Bible Students’ Assn., Jehovah’s Witnesses]
WNI (Pelham) 30.5.17 to 19.12.18
Discharged from Tube (London Underground) because of his nervous condition
Farm work - Illness, health breakdown and mental breakdown - totally unfit for work
Herring, W E - Mental breakdown
Sheffield
Occupation - Turner
Motivation - Christadelphian
WNI (Pelham) 4.9.18 Illness - influenza and nervous breakdown
Transfer to lighter work with Messr C & J Hampton, Sheffield.
Lamont, John Ferrier - Mental Illness
29, Spa Street, Aberdeen
Occupation - Plater's helper. Single, b.1894.
NCC (Non-Combatant Corps) Discharged 2.4.18 with mental illness
Medical report in National Archives file WO363 refers to 'Congenital Mental Instability'
Langdon-Davies, John Eric - Mental illness - melancholia - 'neurotic and unstable'
3, Queen's Road Studio, St John's Wood
Occupation - Oxford undergraduate, Single, b.1897
Motivation - 'Quaker'
Arrested 26.9.17 tried etc. at Marylebone magistrates 27.9.17, fined and handed over
CM Maidstone 9.10.17 - 112 days HL Wormwood S.
Discharged as no longer fit to serve 14.1.18
- mental illness - melancholia in Wormwood S., 'neurotic and unstable'
From his WO364 file:
Feebleminded: constitutional, congenital.
According to records – a man who resisted military discipline.
From birth has always shown signs of neurotic & unstable constitution.
“Evidence of important nervous trouble in 1915 and 1917” – Vice-Chairman, Tonbridge Local Tribunal.
15 years’ instability, 7 years’ instability at school. Acute melancholia 1917 – MO, W Scrubs.
From birth has always shown signs of neurotic & unstable constitution.
“Evidence of important nervous trouble in 1915 and 1917” – Vice-Chairman, Tonbridge Local Tribunal.
15 years’ instability, 7 years’ instability at school. Acute melancholia 1917 – MO, W Scrubs.
CO of “Quaker” type. Published poetry.
Weak state of mind, unable to recollect all details of recent events
but he is apparently trustworthy in his statements as far as they go.
Weak state of mind, unable to recollect all details of recent events
but he is apparently trustworthy in his statements as far as they go.
Trade: Undergraduate at Oxford University. Permanent incapacity [for military] 70%.
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In spite of the above, "John Eric Langdon-Davies (18 March 1897 – 5 December 1971) was a British author and journalist. He was a war correspondent during the Spanish Civil War and the Russo-Finnish war. As a result of his experiences in Spain, he founded the Foster Parents' Scheme for refugee children in Spain, now a huge international organisation called Plan.[1] He was awarded the MBE for services to the Home Guard." - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Langdon-Davies
"When called up in 1917 he declared himself a conscientious objector and refused to wear uniform.[1]
This resulted in a short term in prison before being given a medical discharge."
This resulted in a short term in prison before being given a medical discharge."
[1] My Country Right or Left:John Langdon-Davies and Catalonia" in Tom Buchanan, The Impact of the Spanish Civil War on Britain: War, Loss And Memory, pp. 141–157. Sussex Academic Press, 2007 ISBN 1-84519-127-7.
Lerpiniere, Horace Walter - Nervous breakdown
69, Greenleaf Rd., Walthamstow
Occupation - Ophthalmic optician. b.1891
WNI (Pelham) 8.5.16 to 17.10.18 Forestry work near Exeter; In poor health
Labouring work with Messrs Cadburys from Sept.1917; Illness - nervous breakdown
Noble, Robert Henry - Illness, mental
39, Salisbury Street, South Shields
Occupation - Upholsterer. Married, 2 children; b.1877
Motivation - Quaker Attender (South Shields PM); Wesleyan Methodist; Sunday School teacher; Trade Unionist - Shop Assistants Union; Trades Council delegate; ILP (Independent Labour Party)
Arrested 17.1.17 - fined and handed over
Refused to accept HOS (The Home Office Scheme, administered by the Brace Committee)
Wormwood S.; Armley CP (Civil Prison), Leeds; released to HOS due to illness, mental, 31.12.18
Transfer to Army Reserve Class W 30.12.18 and taken home
"Post-war he was involved in South Shields politics as ILP/Labour councillor and Mayor,"
Phipps, Harry - Signs of mental derangement
33, Chesterfield Gardens, Harringay
Occupation - Printer and Compositor. Married, 1 child; b.1889
Motivation - Socialist; NCF (No-Conscription Fellowship)
16.8.16 Pelham recommend that his work is WNI and he should stay where he is, Tribunal disagree
Depot Middlesex; CM Mill Hill 17.2.17 - 112 days HL Wormwood S.
Illness - began to "show signs of mental derangement" 31.5.17 in Mill Hill guard room
Waiting for his 2nd CM in Mill Hill guard room, June 1917
Discharged as unfit for service 15.8.17, sent home.
"Tottenham branch NCF angry at Head Office treatment"
"Died after arrest but not in prison"
Pridie, John - Medical grounds, military mental hospital
3, Lansdowne Crescent, Glasgow
Occupation - Clerk. Single.
Motivation - Presbyterian (Glasgow) 'Quaker'
NCC (Non-Combatant Corps) 2.3.17 Glasgow (4 Scottish)
CM Hamilton 13.3.17 - 112 days HL , Wormwood S
CM (Court Martial) Hamilton 21.6.17 - 1yr. HL, Barlinnie CP
CM (Court Martial) Berwick on Tweed 28.6.18 - 2yrs.HL Barlinnie CP.
Illness - released on medical grounds, military mental hospital
Raistrick, William - 'Nervous breakdown'
24, Alexandara Rd., Shipley
b.1879
Motivation - ILP (Independent Labour Party); Pacifist; 'Quaker'
"During 1915 with his nephew, Arthur Raistrick, he campaigned against the war.
Later arrested and handed over."
Wormwood S. 19.11.17 to 12.3.18; Leeds CP
- Illness, 'Nervous breakdown' 17.1.19 released on Medical grounds
Ridgeway, Edward - Nervous breakdown ... recurred
Rose Cottage, Werneth Rd., Mottram, Cheshire
Married, b.1883
Motivation - NCF (No-Conscription Fellowship); Trade Unionist; International Socialist; Quaker
Conditional exemption on appeal by employer but wanted to have his conscientious objection heard
Absentee arrested by Hyde Police and kept in police cells 19.4.17
Hyde 20.4.17 tried, fined and handed over
Wormwood S. 9.5.17 to 12.7.17 - Dartmoor (Work Centre)
- 'Had a nervous breakdown before coming in which has recurred in last four weeks and caused him to accept HOS which he now regrets.'
Smith, Sydney - Nervous breakdown
Birmingham
Occupation - Commercial manager
Motivation - Christadelphian
WNI (Pelham) 9.5.17 to 7.11.18
Illness, nervous breakdown, 30.8.17
Spemcer, Leo George - Nervous breakdown
2, Grosvernor Rd., East Ham
b.1892
Occupation - Woollen warehouseman
WNI (Pelham)) 12.5.16 to 26.9.16 to farm work
Illness, nervous breakdown; Army Medical class C3
Pelham unable to recommend WNI, to stay where he is
Turner, Ernest James - Considered mentally ill
107, Churchill Rd., Croydon
Married, b.1881
Occupation - Clerk
Motivation - C. of E.
Volunteered at Croydon 26.5.15, 2/3 East Anglian Field Ambulance;
30.3.17 to Regular Army, RAMC Egypt (EEF)
CM 24.7.18 for refusing to take up a weapon - 5yrs. Penal Servitude, com.to 2yrs.
Military Prison, Egypt 26.7.18; unexpired portion of sentence remitted 14.6.19
Discharged Kings Regs. 392(xi) misconduct, 10.10.19
- also considered mentally ill and should be discharged under 392 (xvi)
- no longer physically fit (had been transferred to 22 London Reg.)
- no longer physically fit (had been transferred to 22 London Reg.)
Watt, J - Considered mentally ill
Carlisle
Occupation - Tailor's cutter
WNI (Pelham) 6.11.18, 5.12.18 Working as a military tailor in Portsmouth from March 1918.
Work too much for him, Illness, nervous breakdown
- to stay there on lighter duties until his employer can find a substitute.
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There may well be many others whose cases didn't show up using the chosen keywords. For example, 16 more COs are recorded as having suffered 'neurasthenia', like one of the Cox brothers, usually along with other conditions in a pattern of unfitness that led to a change of location or a mitigation in their treatment, or to 'discharge due to illness'. Another (non-Absolutist) CO suffered 'shell-shock' and was invalided out of the RAMC after serving in Salonika.In any event, there is clearly scope for more research on many aspects, from personal/family history to medical/psychiatric culture...
Further 'cases' to follow, from the 'insane'group
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