Category Archives: Uncategorized

‘The function of the military representative will be to represent the War Office and is to do everything possible to protect the military interest of the nation…. It is essential that the military representative shall take a firm attitude throughout … Continue reading →

Often when looking at the tribunal documents they lead us a on journey beyond the simple question of ‘was this man conscripted? Did he survive?’ Whilst the information on the forms may be scant, the paper trail left by these … Continue reading →

Richard Freer Somerville voluntarily attested in February 1916, seeking absolute exemption. A smallholder, and “more use to his country” producing food, he was the only son of a widowed mother. A common enough exemption request but this case was unusual. … Continue reading →

The appeal papers can give information on various industries throughout the North Riding.  We have a number of men on the North Riding Appeal Tribunal who were engaged in the Iron industries at Middlesbrough: Lawrence Farrar Gjers who was Chairman and managing director … Continue reading →

Bernard Noel Nesbitt, of St Mary’s Mount, Leyburn a Bank Clerk, was the last of six sons to be called up. Although his address was Leyburn at every documented family event or census the family had moved. His father was Reverend John … Continue reading →

  Sidney Kemp Brown was a ‘schoolboy’ from a Quaker family in Letchworth, boarding at the Quaker founded Bootham School in York when he received his call up papers just before his 18th birthday on 28 July 1918. On 17 July … Continue reading →

  Edward was one of the nine children of William and Mary (nee Alderson) Pedley. William was a Lead Miner and Farmer at the time of his death in 1910. Edward’s mother Mary probably took up the running of the boarding house … Continue reading →

  George Little was baptised in the Parochial Chapelry, Barnard Castle on 1 May 1887.  His parents were Francis William and Ruth Millen Little.  In the 1911 census George and family are living at 14 Marshall Street, Barnard Castle and … Continue reading →

George Albert Little lived at Arkle Terrace, Reeth and was 29. On 6th May 1916 he appealed to the Reeth Local Tribunal asking for conditional exemption. On 12th May 1916 he was granted a two month exemption to 12th July … Continue reading →

12th July 2017 – talk at Swaledale Museum in Reeth. I was given a very warm welcome from Helen Bainbridge at this lovely museum near The Green in Reeth.  Talks take place on the mezzanine floor see above.  About 25 people made … Continue reading →