Resource created by East Riding Museums, Heritage Learning and Normanby Hall Country Park.
This resource explores how some men were exempted from the conscription draft which forced most able-bodied men to join up to fight the war.
Curriculum Links
- KS3 & 4 History: World War One
Learning Objectives
- Knowledge of conscription during the First World War and how men might be exempted from the draft
- Understanding of how decisions were made about conscription
- Skills in analysing and understanding historical evidence
Discussion Ideas
- Look at the images of Scheduled Occupation Certificates. Why do you think G W Whitlam and William Robinson’s jobs were scheduled as important for the war effort?
- Look at the photographs of War Service Badges . What do you notice about the design? Why do you think they are stamped with the year?
- Watch the film about North Lincolnshire farmers Sydney and Arthur Markham
- Do you think it was fair that the Markham brothers had to go to war?
- Would you feel differently about this if they had survived the conflict?
- According to the film, what was the impact of the war on the Markham family? How do you think the family felt about the decision?
- Use the resource Agriculture During Wartime in the Humber to find out how farming families like the Markhams met the need for labour while their sons were away.
Activity Ideas
- Research the Military Service Act and find out about the four grounds for exemption.
- Do you think local tribunals were a fair way of deciding who should be exempt from conscription? What might be the advantages and disadvantages about making these decisions locally?
- Design your own War Service badge.
Internal Links
More resources on My Learning related to this subject area include: