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In January 1916 the Military Service Bill was introduced, meaning that all single men aged 18-41 were required to fight for their country. By May, conscription was extended to married men.

When the war started there had been a rush to the colours; men signed up voluntarily but by September 1915 it had slowed to a trickle. Enlistment had fallen by 90,000 in a year. The Government took the unprecedented step to introduce conscription in England, Scotland and Wales. The decision wasn鈥檛 taken lightly; it took 20 days of debate in the House of Commons before the bill was passed.

For those who received a call for duty, they had two choices: go or appeal.

In Stratford, the Borough tribunals were held at the Town Hall and presided over by the Mayor, local councillors and businessmen. Local historian Philip Spinks has researched the two courts for the Stratford area and explains what would have happened:

鈥淎pplications would have been seen to very quickly and candidates were invited to a hearing. They would have to attend in person and often them and [their] employer would go. They would have to attend in person. But a lot of the claims were made by a person鈥檚 employer.鈥�

In 1917, a shoe smith employed by Messers Hutchings and Co. wanted William Melburn to stay. They were supplying 600 horseshoes per month. They did give exemption but made him work doubly hard; they upped the requirement to 900 per month. An increase of 50% per month.

The majority of claims were for business reasons: 64% were for trades, less than 20% were because they were unfit to serve, 11% claimed domestic reasons- such as they had an aged parent or ill relative.

If people were refused exemption, they were not always sent to the front line. They were sent to carry out any kind of war work. Some were conscientious objectors

If you were not happy with the decision, you could appeal, which was dealt with in Warwick. Men would ask for reconsideration and present further evidence. However compared to Stratford War Tribunals, Warwick Appeals were harsh: only 10% of cases were granted.

Location: Stratford Town Hall, Sheep Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6EF
Image: Archibald (later Sir Archibald) Flower photographed when he was mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon in 1916, at the time when he also acted as chairman of the Borough Local Tribunal. Photograph courtesy of The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

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