Samuel Turner

Chadderton Tribunal 3 January 1917
Reported Oldham Chronicle 6 January 1917

At Chadderton Tribunal on Wednesday evening Samuel Turner (34), a spinner at Richmond Mill residing at 69 Coalshaw Green-road, Chadderton, who had had his appeal adjourned so that he could be medically examined, now reported that he had been passed for general service but said he was not satisfied with the examination. He also had a conscientious objection to combatant service and to taking the life of his fellow-man, because militarism was, in his judgement, against the spirit of his teaching. His religion taught him the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. The war spirit was against his way of teaching altogether. He felt he could not do it.

The Chairman (Councillor Carter): How long have you had this conscientious objection?
Turner: When the canvasser came in November 1915 I gave that as my reason for not joining the army.
The Chairman: Had you sent in your conscience plea before we adjourned the case?
- Yes
The Chairman: I was only wondering whether your conscience had developed suddenly.
- Oh, no. I have always been brought up in a Christian home and that is my opinion.
Mr Hill: Does your conscience carry you so far that you would not go and do anything?
- Oh, no but I cannot go and kill.
The Chairman: I rather object to the statement that you have been brought up in a Christian home. Conscientious objectors appear to claim to be the only Christians. Lots of Christians have gone out and I think Christianity has compelled them to go. The best lads in the world are on the battlefield - the best ads the nation has ever produced. (Hear, hear)
Mr Hill: You don't refuse non-combatant service?
- No I don't.
Captain Taylor: You don't want to be in any danger yourself?
- Danger does not bother me.
Mr Hill: You would not object to rescuing somebody?
- No.
Councillor Crossley: Would you object to serving on a minesweeper?
- No I would not; I would do anything that is fair.

Members expressed their sympathy with the man and their appreciation that he was willing to do his bit in other ways.
The Chairman: It is the most straightforward case we have had before us.

The Tribunal decided that the man should serve in non-combatant service, the R.A.M.C. preferred.

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

16 january 1917 Enlisted in the No4 Western Company Non Combatant Corps at Ashton under Lyne. Service number 3581

18 January 1917 Posted to Kinmel Camp
11 May 1918 Posted to Warwick.

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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 Oldham, 16 December 1881
Died Oldham, 9 January 1957

1911 census
69 Coalshaw Green Road, Chadderton
Single with parents and brother
Occ: Spinner, cotton mill, self acting minder

1939 register
78A Market Street, Shaw
With wife Margaret, no children listed
Occ: Minder, cotton spinning

Contributed by Dorothy Bintley