Oldham Historical Research Group

'THE GREAT WAR',     'THE WAR TO END WAR',     'WORLD WAR 1'
'What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
- Only the monstrous anger of the guns.'
                                                                                                  
from 'Anthem for Doomed Youth' by Wilfred Owen

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION IN WW1

Anthony Spencer

Oldham Tribunal 6 July 1916
Reported Oldham Chronicle 8 July 1916

Of 38 Siddall Street, Oldham, aged 29, grocer's assistant employed by Oldham Industrial Co-operative Society

He held a deep religious conviction and believed war was a denial of the fatherhood of God.
Member of the No-Conscription Fellowship.

Sent to non-combatant service

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Manchester Appeals Tribunal 26 July 1916
Reported Oldham Chronicle 29 July 1916

Said he was willing to take work of national importance
Chairman: I don't think we can call a grocer's assistant work of national importance.
You must get work on a farm or something of that sort.

Adjourned for 14 days to get work of national importance

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Born Oldham 5 August 1886
Died Oldham 6 May 1966
Buried Chadderton Cemetery G1 - 96

1911 census:
45 Bar-Gap Road, Oldham
Single with parents
Occ, Grocer's assistant

1939 Register:
38 Siddall Street, Oldham
with wife Annie and one daughter.
Occ. Grocer, Branch Manager

Contributed by Dorothy Bintley

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