Discharged Men Called-Up, 29th June 1917

The need for ever more men meant that some of those previously rejected or discharged as unfit for military service were re-examined. On 29th June 1917 some of those less than impressed at the prospect of being called up again, while some who had seen no service remained civilians, wrote to make their feelings plain.

“CASE OF THE DISCHARGED SOLDIER.

“I agree with "Discharged” as regards the London Lord Derby men. It is time there was a comb-out amongst them; they have had a good run. Their plea is that they are on Government work, but they don't say that discharged soldiers were stopped wholesale. I am one of these ex-soldiers, and I know several others who were treated like myself. Is it right that we should have to go again in view of these proceedings? And what about the fit men that was [sic] recently passed by a Medical Board not a hundred miles from Nottingham? When we are wanted again we shall go, as we went before, with good heart, but not till the shirkers and fit men have gone. — VOLUNTEER.

“I quite agree with “H. S.” that all the funks ought to be fetched before discharged men are called upon to do their bit a second time. I venture to say, however, there are not many shirkers amongst the London Derby men, the only difference between “H. S." and the majority of them being that he is a hero of the present and they are heroes of the past and present. My husband for one fought and bled for his country in the South African war, and he has done his bit in this titanic struggle bravely as a soldier on the battlefield. I can assure “H. S.” if needs be that he is still ready to take up rifle, sword, or lance, and help his gallant comrades. Let me remind “H. S.” we cannot make omelettes without breaking eggs, and we cannot supply our brave lads out there if we over-dilute labour here. London Derby men are experienced in their work now. I am the sister of four brothers who are fighting for King and country, and a London Derby man’s wife and proud of it. — M.B.R.

“In the recent Commons debate it was made clear that there are still large numbers of young men available for the Army. When discharged men and rejected men are being posted for service who are obviously unfit for the rigorous life of the soldier, and men of 39, 40, and 41 are being passed into the lower categories, who have responsibilities bound up with business and domestic matters, it is plain that the talk about equality of sacrifice is misleading. Many discharged and rejected men relying on the faith of their discharge and rejection certificates entered into fresh responsibilities respecting their business and domestic affairs, only to be brought now face to face with the fact that, while the fit men belong 31 remain snug under the umbrella marked “Of National Importance,” their own businesses built up by diligent work will have gone to the dogs. That there is strong feeling on this question is not be wondered at when it is remembered that many fit men have never been examined at all. The time has come when all men under 31, irrespective of social status, should be medically examined in order to see that justice is done to the discharged and rejected men. — JUSTICE.”

'Nottingham Evening Post', 29th June 1917.