Harry Whitehead

Oldham Magistrates' Court 8 March 1917
Reported Oldham Standard 8 March 1917

Harry Whitehead, 31, a single man of Henshaw-street, Oldham, was charged at the Oldham Police Court to-day (Thursday) with being an absentee under the Military Service Act.
Supt Pigott said the prisoner had been arrested since the opening of the court. He should have reported on January 4th but failed to do so.
Prisoner said he could not conscientiously become a soldier.

Replying to the Chairman (Dr Gourlay) prisoner admitted having received the calling up notice but he took no notice of it because he had no intention of being a soldier.
Mr Booth (Clerk) inquired if the man's case had been before the Tribunal but prisoner replied in the negative, adding that he did not put in an appeal.
Supt Pigott said prisoner had neglected it altogether. He had also refused to be medically examined.

A fine of £2 was imposed and he was ordered to be handed over to the military authority.

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He has an entry on the Pearce List. of over 17500 WW1 Conscientious Objectors.

March 1917 Drafted into the 3rd Manchester Regiment and posted to Cleethorpes.
23 March 1917 Court martialled at Cleethorpes, 2 years with hard labour at Wormwood Scrubs.
5 July 1917 Accepted work under the Home Office Scheme, sent to Dartmoor Work Centre.

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Born Oldham, 20 January 1886
Died Oldham, 16 February 1940

1911 census
271 Henshaw Street, Oldham
Single with widowed mother
Occ: Fly maker, cotton machinery

1939 register
13 Briscoe Street, Oldham
Single, living alone
Occ: Wholesale retail confectioner

[In his will, probate was granted to Anthony Spencer, grocery manager and James Hill, sheet metal worker - both fellow Conscientious Objectors.]

Contributed by Dorothy Bintley