David Powell

Royton Tribunal 18 March 1916
Reported Oldham Chronicle 20 March 1916

The first batch of conscientious objectors to appeal before the Royton Recruiting Tribunal had an afternoon out of Saturday. There were six of them [William Albinson, David Powell, Arthur Marland, Haydn, Hubert and Stanley Greaves] but they brought a numerous and noisy following of young men and women who, to say the least of it, showed little respect to the members of the tribunal.

The supporters hailed from Oldham, Rochdale and Shaw and it was early evident that they would not remain quiet during the proceedings. Whilst waiting outside for their turn, the applicants were being coached and advised what to say and the public frequently passed remarks during the hearing of the cases in addition to applauding. All appealed for absolute exemption but in each case the application was disallowed and notice of appeal was given ….

…. The last applicant was David Powell (39 years) a dairy farmer of Edge-lane Farm, Royton. He appeared to be the leader of the conscientious claimants and had taken an active part in the earlier interruptions. At the outset, he asked for a sympathetic hearing "from the knowledge I have." His only reasons for his appeal, as stated on his appeal form, were "my willingness, even if the penalty be death, to take the penalty rather than take the military path."
The Military representative did not consider those conscientious objections.
Powell (excitedly and thumping the table): I consider neither the military nor any other authority in the land can decide my conscience. (Cries of hear, hear). He believed war was madness and everyone, without exception, who went into it, were lunatics.

Applicant began to criticise the tribunal for not having the previous applicant [Arthur Marland] absolute exemption. They were not gentlemen or they would have acknowledged his claim.
The Chairman: That is a matter of opinion. We are deciding your case now, not the one already decided. You know, we people living in Royton are not theatrical people and do not want to be. Do you want to say anything further?

- No I have a conscientious objection to fighting. The people ought to be considered more that they are to-day. I am 39 years of age and have never had the privilege of recording a vote. Such conditions are unworthy of the name of Englishmen. (Applause and cries of "Keep your end up lad.")

The Chairman: How long have you held these views?
- Ever since I could think for myself but dated from the time John Hodge was first returned as labour representative for Gorton. [1906]
Councillor Smethurst: He has fallen away from his ideals since.
- He has changed but I have not.
Mr Buckley: You are right and he is wrong then?
- Well no, I don't say that. It is a matter of conscience. If he thinks he is right, he is welcome to it and I ask for the same privilege.

The Chairman: What would be your action supposing an enemy soldier came to you?
- There is to be no supposition but facts. The tribunals have been told by the President of the Local Government Board that they should confine themselves to ascertaining facts.
Councillor Smethurst: Is it a fact you have an opinion?
- Exactly.
Surely we are entitled to ask what that opinion is?
- Not on supposition.
Mr Buckley: Suppose the Germans came to this country and did the same here as in Belgium?
- I don't know what they have done there, not more than the top of this table. I am entirely in the power of the press and if they say this thing has been done, I have no evidence to show whether it is so or not. I do not say I disbelieve it but as long as there is any doubt in the case, I claim the benefit of the doubt.
Mr Smethurst: Do you think there is any doubt in it?
- It is quite likely.

The claim was disallowed.

Applicant then asked to be allowed to read something and the chairman at once remarked, "That is a copy of the press and you say that you do not believe in it!"
Powell: What I want to read is Bobbie Burns.
The Chairman: How do we know it is true?
Mr Smethurst: Did you ever see Robert Burns?
Powell: It is not the one you are thinking of. (Laughter)

As the applicant and his supporters left the room they created much noise by shouting at one another and applauding and seemed completely to ignore the members of the tribunal who had other cases to deal with. One or two of them also began humming "The Red Flag" but no one took it up after the first line.

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Manchester Appeal Tribunal 17 April 1916
Reported Oldham Chronicle 21 April 1916

Men from Royton …. who desired exemption from military service came before the Appeals Tribunal on Monday…. Sir William Cobbett presided.

…. David Powell voiced his objection against military service on the usual lines. He claimed that he had a conscience and that he was entitled to act according to it.

The appeal was dismissed.

Powell: I cannot accept your decision. I don't suppose it is any use asking for a further appeal.
Chairman: No.

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He was court martialled at Kinmel Park on 8 June 1916, sentenced to 112 days with hard labour in Walton Prison.
Accepted work with the Home Office Scheme 24 October 1916 at Newhaven then 28 August 1917 at Dartmoor.

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Oldham Local Studies and Archives PUO/1/58 (Guardians' Minutes) 13 September 1916:

David Powell of Edge Lane Farm, Oldham alleges that his brother William Powell will be left destitute and in a position necessitating poor relief.

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He has an entry on the Pearce List.
The Pearce List of over 17500 WW1 Conscientious Objectors can be found on the Imperial War Museum's website

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1911 census (possible)
224 Bow Road, London E
Married, with wife Annie, son David Rheidiol (b 1904) and four others - 3 milk carriers and a general servant
Occ: Dairyman

1939 register (possible)
338 Paddington Road, London
Married, with wife Annie
Occ: Café proprietors

Born (if correct 1911 census found) September quarter 1876, Aberystwyth, Wales
Born (if correct 1939 register found) 23 August 1876 .

Contributed by Dorothy Bintley