Military Tribunals – John ENSTONE

Mr John Sharp, Aldington Mill, applied for the exemption of his man John Enstone, miller's assistant. Enstone is the only man employed at the gristing mill where formerly four men were employed. There were three pairs of stones running. The Tribunal considered that grist milling was important work, and they put Entone back for three months to give Mr Sharp an opportunity to get another man.

Mr J W Roberts represented Mr John Sharp, grist miller, of Aldington Mill, who appealed for John Enstone, miller's labourer in his employ, living at Aldington. Enstone was the only man to help him at the mill, and a woman could not do the work because it was heavy work. He dealt with 800 bushels of corn during October, November and December for local smallholders alone for bread. Mr Sharp said Enstone assisted him at the mill. Enstone could not do all the work at the mill himself, neither could witness do it. A man named Byrd did the delivering. Enstone had already been granted three months's exemption. Mr Sharp said he had made enquiries about getting another man, but had not been successful. Enstone was married with no children. It required a strong man to do the work. He and Enstone worked from 18-20 hours a day from September up to Christmas last. Mr Cholmondeley: "Do you really mean that - 18-20 hours out of 24 hours?" Mr Sharp: "Yes, certainly." Mr Cholmondeley: "What does your wife say to that?" Appellant: "She doesn't like it, but still it can't be helped." In reply to Mr Cope, Mr Sharp said they worked these long hours owing to being understaffed.