Arthur Marland

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 on 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 ….

…. Arthur Marland (23 years) an overlooker in the winding room at the Era Spinning Co., Rochdale, who lives at 20 Union-street, Royton was the next claimant. He was opposed to all wars. Human life to him was sacred, believing as he did in the brotherhood of man. In life or death the individual only had the right of decision. He would face any punishment rather than take life. Conscience could not be measured by a barometer. He had held those views since he was 13 or 14 years of age. He hoped he would get a fair hearing.

Councillor Smethurst: You don't hold them on religious grounds then?
- No I am a humanitarian.
Is that a religion?
- Yes, a very good one.
The Military Representative: Have you no friends or relatives in the Army?
- No.
The Chairman: Do you not think you have a duty to perform, although it may be contrary to your conscience?
- Yes but not in the direction the Army authorities want me to go. I wish to go in the direction I think best.
The Chairman: You think you are the proper person to determine that?
- Yes, absolutely.
It is evident the Government hold contrary views?
- It is, but the minority on a question are not always wrong. (Cries of hear, hear)
The Chairman: I have been in the minority myself many a time and thought I was right.
Councillor Roberts: And you have had to obey, Mr Chairman.

Marland caused some shouting and applause by declaring that if the military representative had no question to ask him, he had proved his case.
Councillor Smethurst : If that is the kind of logic upon which you have built conclusions it is not worth consideration.
The Chairman: It does not follow that you have proved your case if you answer the questions in a certain way.

Councillor Roberts objected to the public making such a noise and, as with the other cases, the appeal was disallowed, evidently to the consternation of the applicant and his supporters.

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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.

…. Arthur Marland was opposed to war and to military service as a believer in the brotherhood of man.
Chairman: I suppose you came with the three brothers Greave?
- No, surely I can have a conscientious objection without coming with anybody.
Asked what denomination he belonged to, he replied that he was a humanitarian. Later he said that he formerly belonged to the Church of England.

His appeal against the decision of the Royton Tribunal sending him to service was dismissed.

Marland: Why don't you give a fellow the same chance as a criminal?
Chairman: You seem rather combative
Marland: I shall be before this job in finished.
Still protesting he was put out from the room by the constable on duty.

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Born Royton, Oldham, 28 October 1892
Florida Death Index 1877 - 1998
Died Pinellas, Florida, 18 March 1978

1911 census
12 Lincoln Street, Rochdale
Single, with widowed mother and three younger sisters, Alice, Emily & Anne
Occ. Ring spinner in cotton mill

Emigrated to the USA, sailed Liverpool to New York 30 September 1921

1930 US census :
Living at 416, East Tenth Avenue, Conshohocken, Montgomery, Pennsylvania
Married to Elsie (born England) no children listed.
Also living at the address, Mary Taylor, Arthur's mother-in-law,
Mary and Elsie had emigrated to the U.S. in 1912; Arthur emigrated in 1919
Occ. Supt. Sheet metal mill

1940 US census :
Arthur Marsland
Johnson Highway, Plymouth Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Married to Elsie, no children listed
Occ. Plant manager, John Wood Mfg.

United States Draft Registration, 1942 :
Details
Description

Contributed by Dorothy Bintley