On This Day, 17 April 1917

Birmingham Daily Post

Tuesday 17 April 1917

BEFORE THE TRIBUNALS

APPEALED FOR BY HIS GRAND-MOTHER

At the Birmingham Local Tribunal, yesterday, Mr. F. B. Goodman presiding, a woman appealed on behalf of her grandson, aged 18, who had been passed for general service. Neither the youth nor his employer appealed, and the military representative pointed out that the grandmother had no right to appeal.

The Tribunal said they would hear what the applicant had to say. She stated the youth had been given to her when a baby by her eldest son, and she had brought him up. Of her three sons one had been killed and two were serving in the Army. The son was killed at Loos, and she had brought a photograph of his grave to show the tribunal. The Chairman said they were sorry for her, but the youth would have to go. Applicant: I have brought him up as my own boy, and it is very hard.

The Military Representative said thousands of other women had had to make similar sacrifices.

Applicant: I would never have been a mother if I’d known.