Lieutenant Thomas Baker, 203rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Killed on 28th July 1917, aged 39. Husband of Maude Mary Baker, of 2, Lodge Street, Lancaster.
On August 11th he [Second Lieutenant William Baron] wrote to his uncle in Lancaster :- "I have had a sad duty to perform. Lieut. Baker, an officer belonging to our battery was killed on July 28th, and I had to collect his kit and forward it to various responsible authorities. I write to acquaint you of this because I though Aunt might call and see his poor widow."
The circumstances of his death were :- "It was a beautiful afternoon, and Fritz was shelling a position about 300 yards away. We were all out watching the show, and guessing where the next one would drop. There didn't seem to be the slightest danger for us, when suddenly a stray shell dropped within a few yards of us. We all ducked, and all escaped miraculously except poor Lieut. Baker, who received a small splinter right through his body. It was a clean wound, but he died instantaneously. He dropped at my feet, and I picked him up. He never spoke after he had been hit."
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
50638 Private Charles Townley, 1st/9th The King's (Liverpool Regiment). Died 22nd September 1917, aged 22. Son of Thomas Nicholson Townley and Sarah Townley, of 2, Barrow's Buildings, Corn Market Street, Lancaster.
Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Townley, 2, Barrow's Buildings, had their suspense regarding their missing son, 50638 Pte. Charles Townley (23), King's Liverpool Regt., ended on Monday by the receipt of the sad news that he "was killed in action or died of wounds" between September 20th and 22nd last, in the advance. He had previously been reported missing on the latter date, and comrades had mentioned the fact in their letters. Pte. Townley was educated at St. Thomas's School, which has lost over 70 old boys in the War. He went to Moor-lane mill when a boy of 14, and worked there as a spinner till he was "called" in April last. He first joined the K.O., and was trained at Plymouth, but on crossing to France ten weeks later was attached to the King's Liverpools. He was wounded the first time he was in the trenches, but was treated at a base hospital, returning to his unit. According to the official news his body was picked up by the stretcher-bearers of the South Staffordshire Regt., and was buried on October 31st, 1917. Pte. Townley will be remembered as an amateur conjuror, who gave a lot of pleasure at local entertainments, including those at the Y.M.C.A. hut at the Barracks under the title "The Mysterious Tiff." The King and Queen have sent their sympathy.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
50476 Private Ernest Atkinson, 7th South Lancashire Regiment. Missing on 7th October 1917, aged 19. 
Mrs. Atkinson, of 72, Grasmere-road, Lancaster, has been officially notified that her son, Pte. Ernest Atkinson (19), has been missing since Oct. 7th. According to a letter from Capt. Caley, dated Nov. 6th, the circumstances under which he became missing are as follows :- "The Company was going into the forward area, and it was heavily shelled, and suffered casualties. Later, when the situation was quiet, we were able to account for all the men except two, one of whom was your son. I very much regret that I am not able to give you any more definite information than that he is missing." Pte. Atkinson may, of course be a prisoner. He is an old boy of St. Thomas's School, and of the Friends' Adult Sunday School. He worked in the Goods Warehouse of the L. and N.W.R., and joined the Forces on Feb. 19th, serving first with the R. Welsh Fusiliers at Kinmel Park, and then was transferred to the South Lancashires, with whom he went to the Front a few months ago. His last letter home was dated Oct. 5th, written before he went into the advance. Other relatives serving are :- Pte. W. Atkinson, N.C.C.; Pte. John Dobson, K.O.; and Pte. Jos. Barnes, R.A.M.C.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
Mr. and Mrs. Capstick, 4, George-street, have been notified that their son, Pte. Robert Capstick (25), East Lancashires, was wounded in the right hand and thigh on Oct. 9th. He went to St. Thomas' School, worked at White Cross Mills till April, 1917, when he enlisted in the K.O. Trained at Plymouth, he was transferred in France to the East Lancashires. He was in the same battle as Charles Townley, of Barrow's-yard, who was killed. Pte. Capstick is now in the Northern General Hospital, Lincoln, where his mother has visited him. She found him also suffering severely from trench feet. A brother, Sapper James Capstick, R.E., has been in France three years.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
202417 Private Ernest Stone, 2nd/4th East Lancashire Regiment. Killed in action on 10th October 1917, aged 19. Son of Robert George and Mrs. Stone, of 7, Bath Mill Cottages, Lancaster. CWGC database gives his age as 20.
Confirmation of the news of the death in action of Pte. Ernest Stone (exclusively reported in this paper on Nov. 10th) comes in a pathetic manner to his mother, Mrs. Stone, 7, Bath Mill Cottages. It will be remembered that a Halton comrade in the East Lancashire Regiment first announced his death in a letter in which he said "I should like to see my pal's photo in the
Guardian. He was in our lot and was killed by a sniper the last time I saw him in the line. His name was Ernest Stone." Mrs. Stone was notified that he was missing by the War Office, and wrote to her son, Pte. Adam Stone, late with the K. Shropshire L.I., and now with a Labour Battalion. He has sent back a letter telling his mother that he has seen his brother's grave in France. Deceased was an old boy of Christ Church School, and worked at Greenfield Mill. He was in his 20th year, and had been in the army since he was 18, being posted to the East Lancashires. His father, Pte. G. Stone, is with the R.A.M.C. in Egypt.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
1248 Trooper George Richard Walmsley, Household Battalion. Presumed died on 12th October 1917, aged 22. Son of Grace Hardren (formerly Walmsley), of 29, Rosebery Avenue, Lancaster, and the late Peter Walmsley.
In reference to the fate of Trooper George Richard Walmsley (20), Household Battalion, reported missing on Oct. 20th, his company officer has written to say there is very little hope of his being alive, and sends his sympathy "in the time of anxiety respecting your gallant son." Trooper Walmsley was a son of the late Mr. Peter Walmsley, Grosvenor Place, Carnforth, and was educated at Ripley Hospital. He worked at Lune Mills, and enlisted in the Royal Horse Guards in 1915, being subsequently transferred to the Household Batt. At Loos he was missing a short time, getting detached from his unit, and since then had been invalided with trench feet, but returned to France last May. Three brothers are serving :- Corpl. James Walmsley, Military Mounted Police; Corpl. W. H. Walmsley, A.S.C.; Pte. Peter Walmsley, Berkshire Regt. Their mother, Mrs. Hardern, lives at 29, Rosebery-avenue, Bowerham.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
Corpl. William Jones (22), K.O., son of Mrs. Jones, widow, of 29, Trafalgar-road, Bowerham, had his leg broken in the fighting for the Ridge on Oct. 25-26, being removed to the 11th Stationary Hospital. After attending the Greaves School, he worked in the warehouse at Lune Mills, and joined the Pals on the outbreak of war. He went to the front in February, 1915, and was wounded in the second battle of Ypres in May, 1915, being treated in an Irish hospital. He re-crossed to France with the Second Fifth in February last, and was wounded and slightly gassed on Aug. 6th, but did not reach "Blighty." News that he was wounded came on Tuesday. A brother, Harold, has been discharged, through wounds on the Somme, from the First Fifth.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
240035 Lance Corporal John William Hodgson, 2nd/5th King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). Missing on 26th October 1917, aged 33. On Thursday, Mrs. Hodgson, 4, Richmond's-yard, Lancaster, received official news that her husband, Lance-Corpl. John Hodgson (33), had been missing from the Second Fifth since October 26th. He is an old scholar of St. Thomas's, and worked at Lune Mills. As a Terrier, he went out with the First Fifth in February, 1915, and was wounded in 1916 in the head, which required eleven stitches. He was treated in a Liverpool Hospital, and on recovering went to the Second Fifth, crossing with them to France again in February last. It is six weeks since his wife and two children heard from him. He expected a month's leave at Christmas as a time expired man. - Pte. Thomas Golding, K.O., Oswestry, is a brother-in-law.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)
We now reproduce a photograph of L.-Cpl. John William Hodgson (33), K.O., whom we reported last week to be missing from the Second Fifth since October 26th. His wife lives at 1, Richmond's-yard, Bulk-road.
(Lancaster Guardian, 1 December 1917)_____________________________________________________________
On Thursday official news reached his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward M. Nichol, Chapel House, Gage-street, that 242072 L.-Cpl. Edward Nicol (23), Border Regt., had been missing since an engagement in France on October 26th. The last letter home was dated October 23rd, and a field card, dated October 24th, came with it. He mentioned that his officer had been recommended for the Military Cross, and had given him a stripe on the field, which was confirmed in orders next day. L.-Cpl. Nichol was born at Lancaster, but lived for a time at Earlstown. He returned with his parents to Lancaster, and attended the Greaves School, working at White Cross Mill in the chemists' department, and being a popular Y.M.C.A. member. Enlisting in October, 1915, in the K.O., he went to France on August 19th, and was in the Border Regt. On April 23rd last he was wounded, and was under treatment in Aberdeen Hospital. After this he was transferred to another battalion of the Borderers, and went back to France on June 24th. He did not know any of the men in the battalion when he rejoined.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
72493 Rifleman Herbert Waiting, 2nd/6th The King's (Liverpool Regiment). Believed killed in action on 30th October 1917, aged 25. Son of Tom and Isabella Waiting, of 18, Cavendish Street, Lancaster.
Though there is still an element of uncertainty regarding the fate of Rifleman Herbert Waiting (25), second son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Waiting, 18, Cavendish-street, he is believed to have been killed in action on October 30th. He was last week officially reported missing since October 30th. On Tuesday, the following letter, dated November 15th, was received from Capt. C. T. Steward, of the Second Sixth K. Liverpool Rifles, by L.-Corpl. Percy Waiting, his brother :-
"I am very sorry to say that your brother, Rifleman H. Waiting, is missing. When last seen he was in a post in the front line. This post was very heavily shelled by the Germans, and had to withdraw. Your brother left with the rest of the men, but came back a different way to them, and has not since been seen. He was last seen going in the direction of Company Headquarters, but he did not reach there. I am afraid, therefore, one can only assume that he was killed on the way. I have hesitated to write to you until I had made the fullest enquiries, for fear I reported him missing incorrectly; but I fear now there is no doubt but that he was killed. Please accept my most sincere sympathy in your anxiety and sorrow."
Rifleman Waiting was an old boy of the National School, and prominently identified with the Marsh Wesleyan Mission, at which his musical talents were frequently in request as organist and accompanist. He was also in the Wesley Choir, Sulyard-st., and he was in the warehouse at Lune Mills when he joined the forces on April 8th. While in training at Pembroke Dock he was often accompanist for the Y.M.C.A. in their hut concerts. On July 24th he crossed to France, and corresponded regularly till October 30th, when he was reported missing. He was an exceedingly popular young man, and much sympathy has been expressed for his parents. Two brothers are serving, the eldest, Pte. F. J. Waiting, being in the Army Pay Corps, and Lance-Corpl. Percy Waiting, a Signaller in the Cheshires.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
S/2279 Private Thomas Wilkinson, 1st Seaforth Highlanders. Killed in action in Mesopotamia on 5th November 1917, aged 37. 
Notification has been received of the death in action in Mesopotamia on Nov. 5th of Pte. Thos. Wilkinson (37), Seaforth Highlanders. Deceased was the son of the late Mr. Wm. Wilkinson, of Anchor-lane, for many years an attendant at the County Asylum. He was educated at St. Peter's School and worked at White Cross Mills up to the time of enlistment on August 14th, 1914. Prior to going to Mesopotamia, he was fighting in France, and had been four times wounded, viz, July 2nd, 1915; Sept. 25th, 1915; Oct. 14th, 1916; and April 11th, being through the Loos and Somme battles. He leaves a widow and four children, who formerly resided at 4, St. Mary's-place, but now live in Carlisle. His only brother, Pte. Nicholas Wilkinson, of Aldcliffe-road, is with the King's Own in Mesopotamia, and a sister lives in Thurnham-street. The King and Queen have sent their sympathy.
(Lancaster Guardian, 1 December 1917)_____________________________________________________________
Lieut. Leonard A. Gibson, Northumberland Fusiliers, son of Mrs. Gibson, jeweller, St. Nicholas-street, is the recipient of the Military Cross. He is an old boy of Bowerham School, and an active worker at the Centenary Sunday School, being Secretary of the Young People's Society, and the second member of the Church to gain the M.C. He joined the Hon. Artillery Company early in the war, and after active service in the Ypres Sector was offered a Commission in the "Fighting Fifth." While gallantly leading his men in the attack in September he was severely wounded in the right arm, and is still in Devonport Hospital. His mother and sister (Mrs. Adamson) have visited him this week. Lieut. J. Leighton Gibson, his brother, is in the Manchester Regiment, and on special work as interpreter.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
A fourth time wounded, Sergt. John Lofthouse (25), K.O., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Lofthouse, 39, Marton-street, has been admitted to a Birmingham Hospital. He was severely wounded by a shell on September 18th, his left leg receiving a compound fracture, and he was treated in the 1st Australian General Hospital, but came across to England last week-end. Sergt. Lofthouse is an old "Nashy" boy, who worked at Lune Mills and played football for Caton, &c. He went out with the First Fifth, and was wounded at Hill 60, in April, 1915, and again in August, 1915. The third time he was hit was in the Somme fighting. On these three occasions, he did not reach "Blighty," but had a furlough about seven weeks ago and got married. His wife lives with her parents in St. Annes Place.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
Gunner William Cook, R.G.A., has had a narrow escape at the front. A piece of shrapnel struck him on the shoulder, tore his tunic, and bruised the limb. He has been on light duty since. Gunner Cook belongs to Caton, but before the war was a postman in Lancaster. His wife and child live at 35, Balmoral-road, Lancaster.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
Mrs. Burrows, 35, Green-street, Lancaster, has received notification that her only son, Pte. Jas. Burrows (19), Lancashire Fusiliers, has been admitted to hospital at Birkenhead suffering from trench fever. He was previously wounded and gassed on June 23rd, and had only been back with his battalion about a month when taken ill. A former student at the Boys' National School, he was employed at Messrs. Storey Bros., Chemical Works, enlisting in September, 1914, in the Royal Lancasters, being only sixteen years of age. He went overseas in June last.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
Mrs. Dixon, Vineyards, has received information that her eldest son, Driver Robert Dixon, 696877, R.F.A., has been gassed in France and is now in hospital at Eastbourne. He is 24 years of age, an old boy of Scotforth school, and before the war was employed by the Assurance Prudential Co. He was called up in May, 1916, and went to France in January last. He is married, his wife and two children residing at Vineyards.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
Mr. and Mrs. Simpson, 8, Albion-street, Lancaster, have received notification that their eldest surviving son, Gunner Arthur Dunn Simpson (23), R.G.A., has been wounded slightly in the right hand, and is in hospital. He is an old scholar of the Boys' National School, and was employed at Brunton House before enlisting in July, 1916, and has been at the front since April last. His elder brother, John, was killed in action with the Royal Lancasters on May 4th, 1915, and a younger brother, Lance-Corpl. Harold Simpson, is now with the Military Police after being wounded in action with the R.F.A.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
Pte. Thos. Young (22), Manchester Regt., and only son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Young, 22, Green-street, Lancaster, is reported to have been slightly wounded in recent fighting. His Company Officer adds a footnote to one of his letters home saying there is no need for anxiety, and that he will get a well-earned rest. Educated at the Boys' National School, he was afterwards employed as a piecer at Greenfield Mill. He joined the Royal Lancasters in 1914, and went to the Front about five months ago, being then transferred to the Manchesters.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
Driver F. B. Smith, M.T., who has been in the Ontario Military Hospital, Orpington, for the past fortnight, suffering from trench fever, is now reporting to be progressing favourably. Joining up in April last, he has been in one of the active sectors of the western push since August, and was slightly wounded in September.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
Captain William George (Lancaster), Royal Army Medical Corps, was among those who received from the King the Military Cross at the Investiture at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
24224 Private William McDonnell, 1st Border Regiment. Died of wounds on 24th November 1917, aged 30. Son of William and Margaret McDonnell, of 12, Robert-street, Lancaster. Possibly named on the memorial in St James' Church, Whitehaven. Private William MacDonell (30), of the Border Regiment, who has died of wounds in a Rouen Hospital, was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. MacDonell, 12, Robert-street, Lancaster, and in civil life was manager for Messrs. Wyman's Book Stall at Whitehaven Station. Deceased was educated at St. Peter's School, Lancaster, and had been employed at the Book Stall at the Castle Station before going to Whitehaven. He enlisted in March, 1916, and had been in France eighteen months. He was in hospital with shell shock in April and May last. His parents received word on Monday that he was wounded in the back on Nov. 23rd, and next day learnt that he had died from wounds on Nov. 24th before they were notified he was in hospital. A brother, Sergt. B. MacDonell, an old boy of Lancaster R.G.S., is a physical drill instructor.
(Lancaster Guardian, 1 December 1917)_____________________________________________________________
Mr. and Mrs. W. Knowles, 19, Balmoral-road, Lancaster, have been notified that their eldest son, Lce.-Corpl. William Ernest Knowles (29), Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry, has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry during a heavy hostile bombardment on Nov. 8th. He is an old boy of Christ Church and the Royal Grammar School, and prior to the war was a joiner at Burnley. He was called up with the Yeomanry in September, 1914, and has been in France since July, 1915. He married a Miss Wilson, of Holborn House, Westminster-road, Morecambe. A brother, Sapper James Knowles, R.E., has been in France since last April ; and another brother, Thomas, was recently discharged from the Army after two years service with the R.F.A., having been severely wounded in both legs on Whit-Monday last.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
Mrs. McGrath, of 5, Newsham-road, has been notified that her eldest son, 23816 Pte. G. A. McGrath, North Staffs., has been awarded the Military Medal for courage and devotion to duty. During a battalion raid north-east of Loos on Oct. 31st, McGrath was one of a small party mainly responsible for keeping at bay a flanking party of Germans, ultimately following them up to their trench, killing two and capturing three. Throughout the whole operation his conduct was beyond praise. He took part in many reconnoitring patrols prior to the raid, and by his courage and initiative was responsible for gaining much of the valuable information necessary for the success of the raid. Pte. McGrath is an old boyof Skerton Council School, and was employed in the warehouse of Messrs. Jas. Williamson and Son. At the outbreak of war he enlisted in the 15th Hussars, but was afterwards transferred to the Durham L.I. He was wounded in the thigh nearly two years ago, and on rejoining was transferred to the North Staffs.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
LONSDALE APPEAL TRIBUNAL A special meeting of the Lonsdale appeal was held at the Castle, Lancaster, on Friday. Present : - Messrs. P. J. Hibbert (chairman), G. Garnett, A. Brown, and W. Briggs; Colonel Robinson and Capt. Metson (military representatives); and Mr. J. T. Sanderson (clerk).
Mr. Mansfield, barrister (instructed by Messrs. Clark, Oglethorpe, and Sons), applied on behalf of Messrs. James Helme and Co., Halton Mills, for the re-hearing of the case of Mr. James Helme, a partner, who has charge of the engineering sideof the business. At the Tribunal, on September 4th, Mr. Helme was given two months final exemption. Prior to this hearing, following an investigation by the Board of Trade, it had been arranged that a representative of the war Office should come down and make a settlement, but not withstanding this the case had been proceeded with, rendering it impossible, when the representative came down for the case of Mr. Jas. Helme to be discussed. A representative of the Board of Trade reported that "My personal opinion in this case is that Mr. Helme is indispensable to the operations of the firm, and the concession made by the War Office (respecting indispensable men in the linoleum industry) will be nullified if he is taken."
In answer to Mr. Sanderson, Mr. Mansfield read a letter from the Ministry of National Service consenting to a re-hearing if the Appeal Tribunal, in the exercise of their discretion, decided to do so.
Mr. Mansfield added that it was not Mr. James Helme's personal application so as to keep out of the Army - he was ready to go, but his partners said the business could not be properly carried on without him, and the application was made in the public interest. He would prove the indispensability of Mr. Helme, and then the Ministry Representative suggested that Sir N. W. Helme, M.P., should sacrifice some of his public duties to attend to the business of the firm, but his health did not permit of that. The staple industry of Lancaster had been before them on many occasions, and an investigation took place, after which a compromise was arranged on Sept. 24th. Mr. Jas. Helme's case had been heard on Sept. 4th, and was outside that arrangement as he was then considered to be in the Army.
Mr. Mansfield tendered the report of the Board of Trade inspector, but the Chairman said they could not accept it.
Mr. Mansfield urged that it was the duty of Tribunals to get at the facts; and under pressure the Chairman said they would admit the letter as an exceptional case. The report was signed by Mr. Bliss, in charge of the intelligence department of the Board of Trade, and stated that in his opinion Mr. Helme was indispensable to the operation of the firm. Mr. Mansfield also put in two medical certificates respecting the health of Sir N. W. Helme, M.P. Alluding to the comments at the local Tribunal, he explained that the War Office cancelled the calling-up notice pending that application.
The Clerk said they had nothing to do with that, but just the application for re-hearing.
Mr. Mansfield : I'm entitled to make an explanation as to the cancelling of the notice.
The Clerk : It is not necessary.
Mr. Mansfield said he wished to say that the local Tribunal was under a wrong impression when they said there had been anything irregular. It had all been for the purpose of prejudice.
The Clerk : We won't allow it to prejudice us.
Capt. Metson asked the Tribunal to exercise their discretion. It was entirely for them.
The Tribunal, after retirement, decided to refuse the application for re-hearing.
Mr. Mansfield said he had had some talk with Capt. Metson during the interval -
Capt. Metson : I object. It is your application.
Mr. Mansfield then explained that he had previously decided not to go on with the proceedings, as Mr. Helme wished to go and do his bit. Having regard to the circumstances, and that the firm were making the sacrifice, he asked for a month's concession.
Capt. Metson said the application having been dismissed, he did not think it should be extended further.
Mr. Helme : May I be allowed to say that I prefer to leave myself in the hands of the Military.
The Chairman : That is the only course that can be taken.
OTHER CASES.
Mr. Oglethorpe applied for a re-hearing in the case of the warehouseman of a wholesale corn dealer, 42, married, class C1, mentioning that his employer had been appointed by the War Agricultural Committee as approved sub-agent for the distribution of seed to farmers. - The case was adjourned for a fortnight to see if the consent of the Army Council could be obtained for the applicant.
Mr. Fawcett withdrew an application from Morecambe, the appeal being out of date.
A coal merchant, carter, and farmer at Warton (39), was appealed against by the M.R. He has a small holding, and is the only coal merchant in the village. - The Rural Tribunal gave exemption on condition that he helped other farmers three days a week. - Appeal allowed, but the man will not join up till Jan. 16th.
A Bolton-le-Sands grocer and newsagent, 34, passed class 3, was also ordered to join up on Jan. 16th. He said that he helped his father in his small holding, but there were plenty of agricultural labourers round Bolton.
A Lancaster solicitor applied for his qualified managing clerk, 33, single, class C3, to have further exemption, but the appeal was dismissed, the Military allowing him to Dec. 31st.
The son of a Lancaster auctioneer and valuer, represented by Mr. J. S. Oglethorpe, was given conditional exemption, being an accountant in a reserved occupation. He is a Volunteer.
Conditional exemption was granted to a corn miller's son, 36, single, B2, for whom Mr. A. Sewart appeared, as he is the only man left to assist his septuagenarian father, who grinds oatmeal for farmers.
Mr. Oglethorpe appeared for an electrical engineer, 21, single, B3, who had served in the K.O. six months, and had been discharged. He does a lot of work in connection with the repair of motors and installations, and a brother is on munitions. - The appeal was dismissed, but he will not be called till Dec. 31st.
A firm of ironmongers, for whom Mr. Sewart attended, answered an appeal by the Military against an assistant, 23, single, who had been previously rejected, and was now passed for service. As efforts were being made to find a substitute, and 75 per cent of the employees had gone to the Army, the appeal was withdrawn.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
(Lancaster Guardian, 1 December 1917)_____________________________________________________________
MUNITIONS COURT. - A sitting of the Lancaster Munitions Tribunal was held on Saturday before Mr. T. E. Mansfield (chairman), with Messrs. Wardropper and Prosser as assessors. - John Charles Boswell, labourer, charged with not attending work regularly during September and October, said he had been eleven months in France, and since his discharge had had a stroke and suffered from a wasted arm. C. H. Dennison, charged with a similar offence, said he was sent home from France to undergo an operation for appendicitis. The operation was not successful and he also suffered from hernia, so that he was not able to work regularly. - It was stated that irregularity was becoming very prevalent, especially among soldiers who had been wounded. "There were 680 for whom they had to find work, and though the foremen were sympathetic to men who had "done their bit" at the front, when the men stayed off without notice or sending a doctor's certificate they were bound to make an example of them. - Both cases were adjourned for a week for medical examination.
(Lancaster Guardian, 1 December 1917)_____________________________________________________________
