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Military Tribunals System
Under the terms of the Military Service Acts of 1916, all adult males
within the age limit had to register for military service unless
they possessed a certificate of exemption. The system put in place to
handle this was the Military Appeal Tribunals and Exemptions Scheme.
SCHEDULE OF EXCEPTIONS IN THE ACT
1.
Men ordinarily resident in the Dominions abroad, or resident
in Britain only for the purpose of their education or some
other special purpose.
2.
Existing members of the regular or reserve forces or of the
Territorial Force who are liable for foreign service or who
are, in the opinion of the Army Council, not suitable for
foreign service.
3.
Men serving in the Navy or Royal Marines or who are
recommended for exception by the Admiralty.
4.
Men in Holy Orders or regular ministers of any religious
denomination.
5.
Men who had served with the military or Navy and been
discharged on grounds of ill-health or termination of service.
6.
Men who hold a certificate of exemption or who have offered
themselves for enlistment since 4 August 1914 but been
rejected.
CLAIMING EXEMPTION FROM MILITARY SERVICE
There were four grounds for exemption:
1.
If a man was engaged in work of national interest, or being
educated or trained for any other work that he should
continue.
2.
If serious hardship would ensue owing to his exceptional
financial or business obligations or domestic position.
3.
Ill health or infirmity.
4.
Conscientious objection to military or combatant service.
From 1916, men seeking exemption from military service could apply
to various tribunals. There were three types: Local Tribunals,
Appeal Tribunals and a Central Tribunal based in London.