Hi Sue: The WWI Military Conscription Tribumals in Britain are discussed in "Ancestors" June 2005 by Ian Slocombe. The Tribunals which were set up in 1916 with Conscription could give absolute, conditional or temporary exemption, and were given a "long list of exempt occupations" which was revised from time to time by the government. Grounds for exemption included personal circumstances eg support of family/parents. Or on business grounds for the self-employed and for employers who needed essential workers. "Exceptional hardship" was needed for appeals on personal circumstances. He mentions two workers who were exempted: William Smart, 39, a railway (GWR) wheelwright with a "delicate" wife, and his father and 5 brothers in the Army; & William McGrath, 34, the chief support of his mother as his father had just died. He had an invalid brother and another brother in the Army. Appeals from Conscientious Objectors were a small minority of the appeals. Members of some sects like the Christadelphians and Plymouth Brethren got "almost automatic exemption". But their exemptions were often only from combatant service, so objectors still had to join the forces and take an oath, which they objected to. Yours, John Wilson > > > > I wonder if someone could help me by letting me know if the statement below > > is true. If not, what would the truth be? > > > > Thanks > > > > Sue Laffey > > > > Although not a reserve occupation, as in World War Two, agricultural > > workers could gain an exemption from military service in the Great War. >