William [almost certainly 'Willoughby'] Perrin¹

Failsworth Tribunal 15 March 1916
Reported Oldham Chronicle 18 March 1916

A fruit salesman named William [Willoughby] Perrin, 122 Old-road, Failsworth, had an objection to any kind of work with the army, either combatant or non-combatant. He is 22 years of age and said he had held these views practically all his life. He was a Wesleyan² and was also a member of the No-Conscription Fellowship, joining a few weeks ago.

Lieut. Pool Do your father and mother support this appeal?
- Yes
Does your mother know her son would not fight for her if she was in danger?
- She is prepared to sacrifice everything for my principles.
She is evidently a splendid mother. You believe in the Bible I take it?
- Not the whole of it.
Only parts of it that suit your particular point of view?
- Some things are moral. I do not take Christianity as my standpoint in this combat. I take the majority of the Bible as figurative; as a man-written thing and my objection is based on moral grounds.
Councillor Howarth: If your mother was being attacked and likely to be murdered, would you go to her support?
- I would go.
Supposing she was murdered
- I should not consider myself justified in murdering the person who did it. I should do all I could in defence.
Supposing you were a witness of the murder and had to give evidence at the Assizes against the person who did it, would not his life be taken?
- I am not a believer in capital punishment.
You know the law of the land is a life for a life.
- I do not believe in it.
Would you have any objection to the High Sherriff taking that man's life?
- Yes I should.
Well, why would you go to swear against him at the trial?
- Because I should be there to tell the truth.
Yet you would swear his life away and object to his life being taken!
- I object to life being taken. I would refuse to go to the front to take human life.

At this point two men rose and said they strongly objected to such questions being put. One of the men was the applicant's father and he shouted rather heatedly that he thought Mr Howarth was above trying to entrap a man like that.

There were cries of approval among the audience and also some applause but the chairman said he could not allow the public to have a say in the matter at all. The court would be cleared if there was such a disturbance again.

Councillor Howarth explained that he quite understood the applicant's father having feelings in the matter but he was there to do his duty and would do it whatever the public might say. He had asked no question other than what should be asked and the applicant had answered them to his satisfaction.

The Chairman (to the applicant): You would not take life under any circumstances?
- No.

The chairman asked the public to retire whilst they came to a decision but some of them demurred, two sitting at the press table and pretending to take notes. When asked for their cards they produced them and also a letter from the No-Conscription Fellowship. They were told they were not press representatives and had no right to remain and after a short argument they left the room.

Before giving the tribunal's decision, on the public being re-admitted, the Chairman said the tribunal could not allow threats to be made by the public. They were there to give justice in their own way and the public had no right to interfere.

They had decided to put the applicant to non-combatant service.

Perrin (heatedly): I am against all military service and am determined to stick out of the Army whatever the consequences, even if I have to suffer death.

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Manchester Appeal Tribunal 5 April 1916
Reported Oldham Chronicle 8 April 1916

At the sitting of the South East Lancashire Appeals Tribunal at Manchester Town Hall on Wednesday, claims were made by conscientious objectors from Failsworth. Mr J M Yates KC presided and all the appeals were dismissed, the local tribunal's decisions being upheld …

… William [Willoughby] Perrin (22) a fruit salesman of 122 Oldham-road, Failsworth, said he had a moral feeling that war was wrong

The Chairman: Moral feeling is not a conscientious objection. I should not like to take life but if my country needed me I should be prepared to do it. What body do you belong to?
- Wesleyans.
The Chairman: Well, the Wesleyans are doing well. The application is dismissed.
Applicant: Why is it dismissed?
We are not here to argue with you but we have decided that it is not a conscientious objection at all.

Failsworth Tribunal decision upheld.
He was sent to the Non-Combatant Corps.

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From Manchester Evening News 26 May 1916

Willoughby's father, Thomas, was born in this area, so Willoughby probably had extended family and/or friends still living there.

No 'William' Perrin is found on the Pearce list of Conscientious Objectors on the IWM Lives of the First World War website, search page HERE ...

However, Willoughby Perrin has an entry, on the list, HERE ...
Extracts:
Clerk in an iron foundry, age 23, birth year 1893, (this fact links him to the 1911 census return in Failsworth).
Address ... 8 Avington Rd., Sale.
No-Conscription Fellowship Manchester
Motivation ... NCF (No-Conscription Fellowship)
War Service ... 2/4 Att.2/7 Cheshires; CM (Court Martial) Old Warden 10.6.16 - 112 days HL (With hard labour), Bedford CP (Civil Prison)
Magistrates Court ... Arrested, tried at Sale Police Court 26.5.16, fined 40/- and handed over.
Magistrates Court comments ... Absentee
Prison ... Bedford CP (Civil Prison)
Sources ... Tribunal 29.6.16; Cumbria RO (Carlisle)D/Mar/4/97; NA/WO86/70/102; Manchester Evening News 26.5.16 re.trial;

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Willoughby is one of the subjects referred to in Questions concerning the treatment of conscientious objectors in Parliament, in July 1916. Hansard transcription. At this time he was in the 2/7th Cheshire Battalion (regt. number 4992) a 'home service' 2nd line unit.

At some stage Willoughby was transferred, to the 13th (Service) Battalion Cheshire Regiment (regt. number 202293), which was serving in France. He was killed on the 10th August 1917, in the third Battle of Ypres, and is remembered on the Menin Gate on the CWGC website... Commemorative Certificate.

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¹ Notes ... to substantiate claim that 'William' is, in reality, called 'Willoughby' :
Possible mistranscription of foreneame, by journalist at the Tribunal, and printed in Oldham newspaper:

Named as 'William' Perrin in the report of Failsworth Tribunal 15 March 1916
He was:
Fruit salesman
living at 122 Old Road, Failsworth
age 22 years [Therefore born between 16 March 1893 and 15 March 1894]

However, there is no birth of a 'William' Perrin in GRO indexes which fits those dates.
Age of 'William' fits birthdate of Willoughby.

No 'William' Perrin that fits the criteria is found on the 1911 census or 1939 register

Willoughby Perrin is found on the 1911 census

On the 1911 census :
Willoughby is shown as living with his parents, Thomas and Annie, at 12 Seymour Street, Hollinwood.
His father was a 'vegetable salesman' born in Heatley, Cheshire.
Willoughby himself is shown as an 18 year old 'Clerk, Commercialy', in an Iron foundry.
He had two older brothers, Alexander Frederick and Joseph Edward.

Medal Rolls Index card for Willoughby HERE

Willoughby was killed 10 August 1917, Ypres, whilst serving with the 13th Cheshire Battalion and is remembered on the CWGC website.

Born 3 July 1893, he is remembered on the family gravestone

² Willoughby Perrin, in the 2/7th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment, is remembered on the Failsworth Wesleyan Roll of Honour HERE
Also included on this Roll of Honour is his brother, Joseph Edward, who served with the 3rd Manchesters.

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Contributed by Dorothy Bintley