Sniper offer by the tailor told to join volunteers

Tribunal’s ruling

A master tailor offered to train as a sniper even though he appealed for exemption from military service when he appeared before the latest Stirling Burgh Tribunal.

The 48-year-old employed four women and said the business would have to cease if he was called up. He had three daughters, two of whom were being educated while a third worked for the Army Service Corp’s ‘Forage department’.

He was granted six months exemption and told to join the Volunteer Corp – a request that didn’t meet with his favour.

He said business would prevent him from attending the volunteers’ regular drill sessions , adding: “I would be quite willing to qualify myself as a (sniper) shooter if that is any good.

“If it was not for my business position, I would have no objection to the Army and would like to have been in the 42nd like my father was. I would like to do what I can voluntarily but don’t want to be held responsible if I don’t put in a certain number of drills.”

Military representative Major Alston said there could be “no half measures”. He was either a volunteer or a soldier.

The tailor retorted that a 48-year-old was no use to the country as an infantryman and there were young men in trades, such as miners, who had more time than him and could be drafted into the volunteers.

Tribunal member Hugh Murnin, a miners’ union leader, replied: “A miner does as much hard work in a day as you do in a week.”

The applicant disagreed and the clerk to the board, Mr DB Morris commented: “Some miners should be doing more than they are doing.”

Mr Murnin: “They are doing their bit.”

The clerk said: “Kicking a football and going about the streets.”

Mr Murnin: “You would not like their work.”

It was again indicated to the applicant he would get six months’ exemption but he must join the volunteers.