Edgar Kean

Middleton Tribunal 23 March 1916
Reported Oldham Standard 24 March 1916

Several conscientious objectors appeared before the Middleton Tribunal on Thursday at which the Mayor (Alderman Wm. Wiggins) presided.

The first case was that of Edgar Keene [sic] of 9 Top-street, Middleton, who assisted his father who is superintendent of an insurance company in Long-street, Middleton. He claimed exemption on the grounds that his mother, grandmother and a cousin were dependent upon him and at times his father was subject to muscular rheumatism.. He also had a conscientious objection to war of any kind.

Appellant added that he could not do any military service whatever. He was willing to do any service of national interest.

The Chairman: How long have you held this conscientious objection to military service?
- Since I have known what it is to object to it.
Why do you put all the other claims first? Why don’t you rely on the conscientious objection?
- I should have a better chance of getting off.

Councillor Monk: Will you be willing to have any work of military importance or any national work?
- Yes. I am willing to do that.

The Chairman: Do you object to being defended by the army?
- I do not see that I am being defended by the army.
Have you any proof that you have held these objections before the war?
- I am a member of two places of worship and I think that my presence here proves that I hold a conscientious objection.

Mr Ashworth: Can you show us that you have a conscientious object?
- I have no connection with any society. I need no one to prove my case, I can prove my own.

Application refused.

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

8 May 1916 Enlisted at Bury 1 - 4 Western Company Non- combatant Corps Regimental number 923 5 ft 7 ¾ ins. 9 sts

12 November 1917 Posted to Dublin

He was discharged on 31st March 1920

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He has an entry on the Pearce List HERE.

The Pearce List of over 17500 WW1 Conscientious Objectors can be found on the Imperial War Museum’s website HERE

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Born Middleton, 23 May 1896
Died Middleton, 17 December 1970

1911 census:
9, Top Street, Middeton
With parents and younger brother.
Occ. Agent with Insurance Co.

1939 register
9 Top Street, Middleton
With wife Phoebe and widowed father, no children listed
Occ: Life Assurance Superintendent