Fred Parker

Oldham Tribunal 6 July 1916
Reported Oldham Chronicle 8 July 1916

At the Oldham Tribunal on Thursday several more cases of conscientious objectors were heard.

…. Fred Parker (29), 43, London Road, an overlooker employed by Messrs. Richard Shiers Bros., Ltd., Newbreck Mill, Waterhead, appealed for exemption because he could not undertake military service or assist in any way to organise the war, because he was against war, in which it was necessary to take human life, which was to him most sacred. We ought to be preserving, not destroying it. It was with a deep sense of moral conviction that he had taken his stand against war as against the principles of the Prince of Peace. If the service was non-combatant it could not be got away from war.

The Mayor: Will it do if the Tribunal put you in a reserved trade and waive your conscientious objection until the time the trade is taken off? - Yes, if you will give me the privilege of stating my conscientious objection at that time.

Put in a reserved trade.

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Born Oldham, 3 December 1886
Died not found

1911 census
86 Vulcan Street, Oldham
Single with parents and siblings
Occ: Weaver

1939 register
7 Hope Street, Nottingham
With wife Myrtle, no children listed.
Occ: Secretary and Organiser (Wife was Report secretary)
[No indication as to type of business or organisation.]

Note: 1911 census is speculative and the other biographical information depends on it being correct.
Vulcan Street and London Road, Derker, are very close - less that 5 mins walk.
The tribunal report says he worked at New Breck Mill which produced high quality velvet and included weaving in its processes.
This Fred Parker in 1911 was a weaver. Oldham was a cotton spinning town with few weaving sheds.
New Breck Mill at Waterhead was not far to walk from Derker.

Contributed by Dorothy Bintley