Sunday June 9th, 1918
Reveille 7:30. Went to Church service – enjoyed it fine. Praise God from whom all Blessings flow. Wrote home, Abram and Fred. Went quiet walk at night. Tired. Shoulder aches & rheumatics.
Workers at Home
A few days ago, Frank lamented that his brother-in-law, Abram Sutton, had been called up to serve with the 27th King’s Liverpool. From photographic evidence, it is clear that Abram attested to join the Army under the Derby Scheme either in late 1915 or early 1916. However, his medical examination had deemed him to be fit for only UK service (Grade C) and therefore not a priority for mobilization.
Germany’s Spring Offensive changed that. Abram was probably mobilized now to replace one of the UK-based troops who have been ‘combed out’ and sent to France.
This manpower shortage has also caused the upper age for conscription to be raised to anyone under 51 in April 1918. At present, the UK papers are full of measures being taken to balance the needs of the Army with those of essential industry.
As reported in The Times, ‘The Government have had under consideration the position created in the war industries by the calling to the Colours of large numbers of men employed on production. While the man-power employed on essential war work is thus being depleted in order to meet the needs of the Army for men, it is essential to maintain, and even in some directions to increase, output in order to meet the needs of the Army and the nation.’¹
Re-balancing the Work Force
The Government’s plan is a simple one: ‘The scheme provides for a review of the present distribution of labour and for the enrolment of workers where necessary, as War Munitions Volunteers or War Work Volunteers for transfer to districts where their services are more urgently required’.²
‘It is pointed out that the justification for protecting a man from military service is not merely that he possesses certain industrial qualifications, but also that he is indispensable to the work on which he is engaged; a man, though employed on essential war work, whose labour is not being used to the best advantage, has no claim to continue protection from service in the Army. It is proposed to offer to such men …. the opportunity of transferring their services to work where their labours will be more fully utilized, and where continued protection from military service can be justified. On the other hand, protection cannot justifiably be continued to those men whose services are not being used to the best advantage on their present work and who refuse to place their services at the disposal of the Government for transfer to other essential war work where they are more urgently required.’¹
With Trade Union backing, both employees and employers are encouraged to be proactive. The latter by reviewing their workforce requirements and freeing up skilled workers wherever possible for redeployment to more essential roles.
Motivation
While a variety of legislation has been passed to enforce these measures, patriotism is also called upon. ‘The Government are aware that these measures involve a heavy strain upon both employers and men; but are confident that in this time of great national need every one will realize the necessity of releasing the greatest possible number of men required for military serve, and the need of maintaining, at whatever sacrifice of personal convenience, the vital output of munitions.’³
Today Frank went to one of the Church services. He was obviously moved, as he writes, ‘Praise God from whom all Blessings flow‘.
13th (Service) Battalion War Diary – 9th June 1918 – La Marraine
Church services as usual.
References & Further Reading
¹ ‘Munition Man-Power, Extended Volunteer Scheme’, The Times newspaper, June 8th, 1918, page 3
² ‘War Munitions Volunteers’, The Times newspaper, June 8th, 1918, page 6
³ ‘Workers of the New Military Age, Duties of Employer’, The Times newspaper, June 8th, page 3
* Q10293 copyright Imperial War Museums