BY the end of 1916 everyone knew that that war was not going to end soon and that the odds of surviving the conflict in uniform were not that great.

As a result, the queues at recruitment offices had dwindled and conscription had been introduced and tribunal sets up to hear the cases of men who didn’t want to go to war.

Some of those who had to argue their case had family responsibilities, were vital to keep key businesses running or had religious or political reasons against taking life.

A session of the Millom Tribunal was held at Millom Police Court and reported in the Barrow News of December 9 in 1916.

Edwin Ivey, 24, of Market Street, Millom, was a branch manager for Millom Co-operative Society.

He had been rejected once on medical grounds and a second assessment deemed him suitable for military service in the British Isles.

Mr Ivey said he was looking after his sick mother and was supported by his employers. His case was adjourned.

Robert Dixon, 36, a blacksmith, of Holborn Hill, Millom, said he was fully employed shoeing horses and repairing agricultural equipment. He was given a conditional exemption from military service.

Mine owner Myles Kennedy presided at the Ulverston Urban Tribunal in the Town Hall.

A temporary exemption from military service was granted to married man Edward Storey, 34, who was yard manager at the Ulverston and North Lonsdale Auction Mart.

Temporary exemptions were granted to three plumbers after the tribunal heard that there were only four left in the town.

Another temporary exemption went to William Tinning, a single man of 40 who was general manager for Hartley’s Brewery in Ulverston and had responsibility for its 50 licensed houses.

Exemption was given until March to basket maker James Lindow Martin, who was married with seven children.

He worked for James Coward and Sons and was one of three remaining oak basket makers, where once there had been eight.

The firm had contracts for the supply of coal baskets for the Admiralty.

Not so lucky was Arthur Cooper, 18, who was refused an extension on his exemption from military service.

The single man worked for Mr Coward, an agricultural and general blacksmith in Kirkby.

Mr Coward argued that he was the only smith between Dalton and Boughton and that it was impossible to carry on the business without help.