Unità documentaria 13 - Copy of reports on R. C. Trevelyan's appearances before the Dorking Local Tribunal and the County Appeal Tribunal

Handwritten copy; three pages.

Copy of report on Trevelyan's appearance at the Dorking Rural Tribunal from the "Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser", 6 July 1918. The tribunal sat on 4 July 1918 and was formed of F. D. Grissell (Chairman), H. C. Lee Steere, E. T. Arthur, H. E. Ponting, C. Knight and A. J. Canter; also present were A. Percival Keep, the National Service Representative, and W. J. Down, the Clerk. Trevelyan said he 'had a very strong moral objection to taking part, either directly or indirectly in war of any kind, or of doing work that would release others to take part in war'...'; also objected to his medical grading. Further points about his appeal for conscientious objection. Had ascertained that he could join the 'Friends' Reconstruction Committee in France'. In reply to Mr Keep, he said that he would object to ambulance work as he would 'object altogether to being under military orders', explained further his objections to fighting and taking life, and maintained that his was a not a political objection to war. The Tribunal granted conditional exemption on 'Mr Trevelyan undertaking work to be found by the Committee on work of national importance within 21 days'.

Report of the County Appeal Tribunal held at Guildford on 12 July 1918, from unknown source. The Natural Service Representative appealed against Trevelyan's conditional exemption. In reply to Captain Courthope, Trevelyan said that 'his conscientious objection was not based on religious or political grounds, but on a strong moral objection to taking part... in war of any kind, and not merely this war'; he rejected Courthope's suggestion of mine-sweeping or Red Cross work, maintaining that 'both were directed to carrying on the war more efficiently'. Lord Middleton said the Tribunal were satisfied that Trevelyan had a 'convinced conscientious objection to everything that was desired or directed to assist the prosecution of the war' and that he must be exempt from military service on condition that he performed work of national importance; the case was therefore adjourned for fourteen days for a report from the Pelham Committee.