To Join the Fire Brigade

This Military Tribunal is reported in the Eastbourne Gazette on 2nd August 1916. The Applicant is saved from going to the front, so long as he joins the local Fire Brigade:-

"To Join the Fire Brigade

In the case of Mr. Henry J. Collins, 40. Married grocery and sweet shop keeper. Mr. Hillman (the applicants solicitor) advanced the one-man business plea. Mr. Collins said he had a nervous wife and she could not possibly carry on the trade. He was willing to devote spare time to utility work.

The Chairman, “Could you do a special constable’s job?”

Applicant, “I don’t think so.” (Laughter)

Councillor Bolton ,“The Council want firemen, could you do that?”

Applicant, “Yes.”

Twelve weeks were granted, conditional on applicant joining the fire brigade."