Name
George Henry HUTCHINGS
Age
24
Married
No
Address
Badsey
Occupation
Market gardening
First Hearing
Date of Hearing
20 Mar 1916
Case for exemption
Applied for absolute exemption, as his conscience forbade him to help in any way in the destruction of mankind, as it was contrary to the teachings of Christ. He also supported his widowed mother. In answer to Mr Cholmondeley, applicant said he was the only member of the family who held conscientious objections. He had held them all his life, and they had been stronger since the war. He went to the Friends' Meeting House for six years, but he now belonged to the Church of England. Asked why he left the Friends, he said ht thought he would like a change. "You would not like a change in your conscientious objections?" "No; I am not prepared to do anything for my country." "You don't look the sort of man who would lie down and be kicked." "It is my conscience." "If a German soldier ordered you to lie down and let him wipe his boots on you, would you kill him?" "I would sooner let him do it." Applicant called Mr George Edward Field to say that at the beginning of the war applicant told him he had a conscientious objection to taking human life.
Outcome of appeal
Refused
Journal Date
25 Mar 1916
Second Hearing
Date of Hearing
9 May 1916
Case for exemption
George Hutchings read a statement to the Tribunal in which he said he had been "brought up religious" all his life, but he was prepared to undertake work of national importance with the Pelham Committee. In answer to Mr Cholmondeley, appellant said he would let a German wipe his boots on him rather than kill him.
Outcome of appeal
Appeal dismissed - His conscientious objection was of recent date and an attempt to escape military service
Other Information
County Police Court
At the County Police Court on Monday before Mr A H Martin (chairman) and Mr W Gill Smith, George Henry Hutchings, market gardener, of Badsey, was brought up in custody charged that he, being a reservist, failed to report himself when called up for permanent service on June 1. Prisoner admitted that he failed to report and that he received the proper notices. As he was a sincere conscientious objector he did not consider that he should have been called up. Colonel Miller, recruiting officer, said he called up the prisoner in accordance with Royal Warrant. Prisoner returned the papers with a letter stating that he did so because he was a conscientious objector and could not accept service under the military. He should have sent the papers back before, but he was trying to get his case reviewed. Witness asked that he be handed over to the military authorities at Worcester, and that such a fine as their worships considered proper be inflicted. Prisoner said he was willing to do work of national importance under the Pelham Committee. He had been before the County Appeal Committee, and they had dismissed his case. In reply to Mr Gill Smith, prisoner said he belonged to the Church of England. After retirement, the Chairman said prisoner was liable to a fine of £25. They had taken a somewhat lenient view of the case, and prisoner would be fined £2. And handed over to the military authorities. As he left the dock prisoner waved his hand to friends in Court, and Mr George Hutchings stepped forward and shook hands with him as he disappeared down the stairs.
Journal Date
17 June 1916
Final Outcome
No exemption - presumed to have enlisted