In January 1916 the Military Service Act was passed. This imposed conscription for the first time whereas previously the British Government had relied on voluntary enlistment, and latterly a kind of moral conscription called the Derby Scheme. It came into force on March 2nd, 1916. Initially, the Act specified that single men aged 18 to 41 who were outside of a protected occupation (those jobs considered of national importance) were now part of the army reserve and liable for immediate call-up. Also included were widowers without children. In May 1916 the Act was amended to include married men. By 1918 it had been extended in age range to 51. Men or employers who objected to an individual’s call-up could apply to a local Military Service Tribunal. These bodies could grant exemption from service, usually conditional or temporary. There was right of appeal to a County Appeal Tribunal. Local Tribunals were set up with Launceston Town Council holding a meeting on Thursday, February 11th, 1916 to set in motion the election to the Launceston Tribunal. The Mayor, Mr E. Hicks, Messrs C. H. Peter, R. H. Pyne, and C. R. Gerveys Grylls were elected, and to represent labour Messrs Chas Bassett and R. Walters were also elected. Launceston Rural District Council elected Mr G. Lobb, and Messrs. A. West, A. Henwood, and W. Metherell.
Launceston Tribunal February 12th, 1916Launceston Rural Tribunal February 1916Married Men Turn March 4th, 1916Broadwood Tribunal March 11th, 1916Launceston Tribunal March 11th, 1916Launceston Tribunal March 18th, 1916Launceston Tribunal March 25th, 1916Launceston Tribunal April 5th, 1916Launceston Tribunal April 12th, 1916Gypsies not reporting for military service, April 12th, 1916Launceston Tribunal April 19th, 1916Launceston Rural Tribunal April 19th, 1916
Launceston Tribunal August 16th 1916Launceston Tribunal August 26th, 1916Launceston Tribunal September 6th, 1916Devon Tribunal September 1916Cornwall Appeals September 1916Launceston Tribunal September 9th, 1916Broadwood Tribunal September 9th, 1916Launceston Tribunal September 23rd, 1916Launceston Tribunal September 30th, 1916Launceston Tribunal October 7th, 1916Substitution Scheme October 7th, 1916Cornwall Appeals October 7th, 1916Farm Workers October 7th, 1916Launceston Tribunal October 21st, 1916Cornwall Appeal Cases 21st October 1916Launceston Rural Tribunal October 21st, 1916Broadwood Tribunal 21st October, 1916Broadwood Tribunal 27th October, 1916.Launceston Tribunal November 4th, 1916Launceston Tribunal November 11th, 1916Launceston Tribunal November 18th, 1916Launceston Tribunal November 25th, 1916Launceston Tribunal December 2nd, 1916Launceston Tribunal December 9th, 1916Broadwood Tribunal December 9th, 1916The Case of Trooper Gynn December 22nd, 1916Launceston Tribunal January 6th, 1917Launceston Tribunal January 13th, 1917Launceston Tribunal January 20th, 1917Launceston Tribunal February 3rd, 1917Launceston Tribunal February 10th, 1917Launceston Tribunal March 10th, 1917Launceston Tribunal March 17th, 1917Launceston Tribunal March 24th, 1917Launceston Tribunal March 31st, 1917Broadwood Tribunal April 28th, 1917Launceston Tribunal May 5th, 1917Launceston Tribunal May 13th, 1917Launceston Tribunal May 1917Substitution Scheme May 26th, 1917Launceston Tribunal June 2nd, 1917Launceston Tribunal June 9th, 1917Part Time National Service and Launceston Tribunal June 16th, 1917.Launceston Tribunal July 7th, 1917Warbstow Reservist July 7th, 1917Launceston Tribunal July 27th, 1917Launceston Tribunal August 4th, 1917Deserter arrested in Launceston August 1917Launceston Tribunal, September 8th, 1917
Jury exemptions September 1917
Launceston Rural Tribunal September 1917Launceston Tribunal October 13th, 1917Launceston Rural Tribunal October 13th, 1917Launceston Tribunal October 20th, 1917
Broadwood Tribunal November 3rd, 1917
Tribunal Appeals November 3rd, 1917Local Tribunal Appeals November 24th, 1917
Launceston Tribunal December 8th, 1917
Launceston Tribunal January 26th, 1918Cornish Appeals Tribunal February 1918Cornwall Appeals Tribunal, April, 1918Launceston Tribunal, April 20th, 1918Launceston Rural Tribunal, April 27th, 1918Launceston Tribunal, May 11th, 1918Call to Men of 45 & 46, May 18th, 1918Launceston Tribunal, May 25th, 1918.Launceston Tribunal, June 1st, 1918Launceston Tribunal, June 8th, 1918.Cornwall Appeals July 27th, 1918.Launceston Tribunal, August 4th, 1918.Older Men not to be called up, August 11th, 1918.Launceston Tribunal, August 31st, 1918Launceston Tribunal, August 31, 1918.Cornwall Appeals Court, September 7th, 1918.Cornwall Appeals Tribunal, September 14th, 1918.Launceston Tribunal, September 28th, 1918.Launceston Tribunal, October 5th, 1918Launceston Tribunal, October 19th, 1918.Cornwall Appeals, November 9th, 1918Demobilisation, November 19th, 1918Demobilisation, December 7th, 1918.Demobilisation, December 1918
Although the armistice of November 1918 ended the war on the Western Front, the millions of men who were serving there didn’t immediately return home. A demobilisation scheme was implemented, to ensure the gradual release of men from military service. On December 14th, 1918, just over a month after the armistice was signed, the first UK general election for eight years took place. The speed of demobilisation and the employment prospects of ex-servicemen were, unsurprisingly, key issues during the 1918 general election. In the end, the coalition won with David Lloyd George remaining as Prime Minister.
