Harry Gadsby

Chadderton Tribunal 26 June 1918
Reported Oldham Chronicle 27 June 1918

On Wednesday, at the sitting of the Chadderton Tribunal, Harry Gadsby (17) 249 Denton-lane, Chadderton, a joiner-minder at the Gorse Spinning Co., appealed for exemption on conscientious grounds. He said that "being convinced of the utter insanity of war, I, according to the law of the land, appeal for exemption. Wars to the number of 2,000 have taken place in history and militarism is more enthroned to-day than ever it was. To attempt to dethrone militarism in another country by militarism in your own, is like a drunken man preaching temperance. War is a game played by all military leaders and Lord French's sister says that Lord French enjoys a war as you and I would enjoy a game of chess. It is simply the murdering of one another for no reason at all. It (the war) was the outcome of years of bad and secret diplomacy and, with that bad system in practice, war was inevitable. The reasons for this war, as given in the press, were no reasons at all."

After giving a resume of the war, the appellant went on, "Germany has many faults but until we cleanse ourselves, it is hypocrisy to try to cleanse others. One of the most glaring features was the secret agreements entered into to get help. I don't appeal on religious grounds as generally understood. Church and chapel religion to-day is not the religion of Christ but their ideal is the ideal of the Kaiser and at the inception of a Socialist Sunday school in Oldham I joined up. Its principles are based on truth, love and justice. I believe in doing unto others as they would have them do unto me and if you do not exempt me, I shall carry my beliefs and refuse to kill my fellow man."

The Chairman: What proof have you that you are a conscientious objector? Have you refused a war bonus? Have you refused the increase in wages through the other lads being away?
- I have taken the increase but it has taken all the money to keep up with the war prices.
The Chairman: Have you ever objected to taking blood money? Have you ever had an objection to reaping the benefits of the sacrifices being made by your fellow men? You want to reap all the benefits. Have you anything to show that in four years you have had a conscientious objection to making sacrifices of that sort?
- I have done everything in my power to get peace.

Councillor Lawless: According to his essay, Germany has been justified in everything she has done and the Allies have been wrong. That statement wants to place the whole responsibility on the war diplomacy of the Allied countries.
The Chairman: It's a pity we can't send to live amongst them. His letter is a slur on Christian religion and makes me far from thinking he is a real conscientious objector.
Appellant's brother: Is it necessary that a conscientious objector should go to the churches where they are preaching? He left the Wesleyans because they are preaching war as hard as they can. It was not consistent with what he believes.

Mr Taylor: He has left that church and joined another to enjoy the advantages gained by others.?
The brother: He has gained no advantages.
Mr Taylor: You will take all the advantages and give nothing. He has all the advantages. When I was in the mill I never knew a joiner-minder at 17. He is getting a bonus which is more than the total wages were then.

The tribunal ordered the man to serve.

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Salford Hundred Appeals Tribunal 10 July 1918
Reported Oldham Chronicle 12 July 1918

At the Salford Hundred Appeal Tribunal on Wednesday, Harry Gadsby (18) joiner-minder, 249 Denton-lane, Chadderton, appealed against the decision of the Chadderton Tribunal dismissing his claim for exemption from military service on conscientious grounds.
The National Service representative (Major Murphy) said Chadderton refused to entertain the man's claim because they were not satisfied he had made out the conscientious grounds, his statements to them being of a political character.

Appellant, asked how long he had held his particular views, said he had been "brought up to them." He belonged to the Socialist Sunday School. Lord French's sister (Mrs Despard) said he brother enjoyed war the same way as an ordinary man enjoyed a game of chess. He (appellant) objected to all wars. Besides he was only fourteen years old when the war started and he didn't see why he should be drawn into it.
The Chairman (Sir William Cobbett): My dear boy we are all in it.
Answering the National Service Representative, appellant admitted he received war bonusbut he couldn't help that. If he refused the war bonus he would be a blackleg.

The Chairman said he and his colleagues agreed with the local Tribunal.

The appeal would be dismissed.

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Chadderton Police Court 12 August 1918
Reported Oldham Chronicle 12 August 1918

At Chadderton Police Court this (Monday) morning, Harry Gadsby (18) 249 Denton-lane, Chadderton … [was] charged before Mr John Hilton with being [an absentee] from the army …

… The first prisoner [Harry Gadsby] pleaded that he was a conscientious objector. He said he had appealed to the Chadderton Tribunal and the Appeals Tribunal but the appeals were dismissed.

He was fined £2 and handed over to the military authority.

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He has an entry on the Pearce List of over 17500 WW1 Conscientious Objectors.

He was enlisted into the 53 Cheshires
22 August 1918 Court martialled at Manchester - 2 years with hard labour in Wormwood Scrubs.

24 October 1918 Accepted work under Brace Committee.

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Born Oldham, 25 June 1900
Died Wolverhampton, 18 May 1985

1911 census
249 Denton Lane, Hollinwood, Oldham
Single with parents and siblings
Occ: --

1939 register
27 Poplar Avenue, Wednesfield, Staffs
With wife Rosanna, no children listed
Occ: Traveller mail order bus.

Contributed by Dorothy Bintley