Addison Stanley Greaves

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 …

… Stanley Greaves (19 years) a piecer at the Dawn Mill, Shaw who lives at 1 Leach-street, Royton claimed he could not take up arms or assist in the manufacture of munitions or work in any occupation that led to the destruction of life because humanity was not created to meet any death but a natural one. Armed force would not bring lasting peace and so long as Governments commanded the support of nations, war would continue.

Councillor Smethurst: If you had to make the choice, which would you do, go in the trenches or in the R.A.M.C?
- I should resist both.
The Chairman: How long have you held these views?
- Ever since I have been able to form an opinion of my own.
You have always been opposed to war? Do you think it is your duty to help in this crisis?
- I don't think we can gain anything by fighting because we shall have to come to reason at the finish.
What would happen if everyone in England held these views?
- That is not possible, every nation would have to hold these views; it would have to be universal.
Mr Smethurst: Yes, but you see we have got bread in the oven and if it is not looked after it will spoil. (Laughter)

The military representative: Would you raise a finger to prevent Britain being ravaged by the Germans as in Belgium?
- I don't believe in a lot that has happened in Belgium.
Would you resist it?
- I could tell you better at the time.

Councillor Smethurst: I don't think we sought to try to concert these chaps. When did you first begin to propagate these views?
- Six or seven years ago I began to hold these views.
I asked you when you began to propagate these views - to preach them or to talk about them?
- When in conversation I have always spoken that way.
Are you a member of a society that holds these views?
- I am a member of the No-Conscription Fellowship.

A man named David Powell, another applicant, who was amongst the audience, here stepped to the front and asked to be allowed to read the Act, or read a statement, but the chairman told him to go back to his place.
The military representative (to applicant): Would you defend yourself if attacked?
- Yes I should.
Councillor Roberts: That is quite enough for us.

Claim disallowed.

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

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

…. Stanley, Haydn and Hubert Greaves, three brothers, asked for absolute exemption from service. Stanley said that he was an advocate for peace and he did not think peace could be brought about by the use of armed force.
Chairman: To what denomination do you belong?
- The No-Conscription Fellowship.
Chairman: We cannot call that a religion.

Hubert Greaves preferred to stand before the tribunal rather than sit and, in reply to the chairman, he said that he belonged to the No-Conscription Fellowship but his religion was that of a Socialist.
Chairman: I don't know if that is a religion.
Hubert asked why should men rush at one another's throats like dogs. Why should they quarrel and fight? It was all utterly ridiculous. He refused to do murder.
The military representative asked him if he had not told a canvasser that the reason he did not join the army was because the pay was insufficient?
- Yes.

Haydn said that his objection to service was similar to that put forward by his brothers. He would work for nothing but peace. That was his aim, never mind what the military authorities said. He emphasised his objection - it could scarcely be called an argument - by thumping the table. Peace would not be attained by force of arms but by peaceful methods.
Military representative: How long have you held these views? Are they not the views of two or three weeks?
- No, I have held them for years.
Did you tell the canvasser who came to your house that the pay was not sufficient?
- Yes, just to put him off.

This and the appeals of the other two brothers were dismissed.

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The WO 363 records for Stanley Greaves survive (held at The National Archives, available online via Find My Past):

On 10 May 1916 at Ashton under Lyne he was enlisted in the 4th Manchester Regiment, regimental number 36019.
He was 5 ft tall and weighed 6 sts 12 lbs.
He was posted to Weelsby Camp and court martialled for refusing to obey an order, sentenced to 6 months with hard labour at Wormwood Scrubs.

He later accepted work under the Home Office scheme and went to Wakefield Work Centre. He returned home from there on 31 May 1918 and from 6 June 1918 worked as a piecer in a local mill.

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Oldham Local Studies and Archives PUO/1/58 (Guardians' Minutes) 27 September 1916:

Sarah Greaves of Leach Street, Shaw - her sons Stanley and Haydn, conscientious objectors now under arrest, allege that she will be compelled to seek Poor Relief unless she receives Government assistance during their absence from home.

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Stanley has an entry on the Pearce List.

Born Failsworth, 20 May 1896
Died Lancaster, March quarter 1984

1911 census :
25 Neville Street, Shaw
Single, age 14, with widowed mother and 3 elder brothers, Harold, Haydn and Hubert.
Occ: Cotton piecer

1939 register 7 Chamber Road, Shaw
With wife Maud, no children listed
Occ: Big piecer

Contributed by Dorothy Bintley