William James Lewis, 20, Ministerial Student
Grounds:
Reasons: (I) It is absolutely impossible for me, as a Christian, to undertake service in the furtherance of the war on any terms whatever, by reason of my conception of the loyalty which I have sworn to the Lord Jesus Christ. In the light of His teaching, I am convinced that War, under any circumstances, and Christianity are diametrically opposed to one another. By "service in furtherance of the War", I mean that I cannot conscientiously take part in military service, nor in any employment necessitating the taking of the military oath, nor in the production of material, the object of which is the taking of human life. (II) My present work in College in preparing myself for the Christian Ministry, I regard as a work of supreme national importance. Surely it is in the best interests of the nation that its moral and spiritual well-being should be provided for! In view of the above reasons, I claim exemption in accordance with the provisions of the Military Service Act, 1916 [Clauses (f) and (c)].
Verdict: Exempted from all military service. Except in the Royal Army Medical Corps. Ground (c) and (f)
Gwilym Edward Thomas, 19 years, University student - Normal Training Department under the Board of Education
Grounds:
Reasons: As a Christian it is absolutely impossible to undertake military service. He is training as a teacher which will benefit 'the nation of tomorrow'.
Verdict: exemption from all combatant service on grounds f March 3rd 1916 John Evans Chairman
John Cyril Styles, 18 - 21 July 1915, Clerk
Grounds:
Reasons: Having been brought up in a Christian home & been taught to believe the Bible to be the word of god, & the "New Testament" to be the standard of life for all its followers, I am absolutely opposed, for conscientious reasons, to the taking of human life, either directly or indirectly. Or anything which will mean my having to take the Military Oath. Whilst realising the grave consequences which may follow my decision to abide by these principles I feel I can only act according to the guidance of my deepest convictions, & claim exemption on the ground that I am obeying God, rather than man.
Verdict: Exempted from all combatant service. Ground (f). MARS 1916 John Evans Chairman
Arthur Edward Williams, 29, Secondary School Teacher
Grounds:
Reasons: I have conscientious objection to taking part in warfare; which I regard as diametrically opposed to the principles of universal brotherhood & love as taught and practised by Christ. I cannot distinguish between combatant & non combatant work as I should feel myself equally guilty of disloyalty to Christ's Law were I to aid or obtain another to fight, as if I fought myself. I claim to be at (present engaged in) a work of national importance in education
Verdict: Exempted till 25th July 1916, and from and after that date, exempted from combatant service only. Grounds (a) and (f) MAR 10 2016 (John Evans) John Evans Chairman
Daniel James Davies, 39, Teacher of Modern Languages at the County School, Aberystwyth
Grounds:
Reasons: To me all life id sacred, even that of plants & animals, & I cannot take upon myself the responsibility if depriving any human being of it or helping in any way to deprive him of it. I would rather a thousand times give my own life than take that of another. We have all of us received our lives from God & none but He has the right to take them away. I call myself a Christian & endeavour, so far as in me lies, to be a true & faithful follower of Jesus Christ, who has commanded us not to kill, but rather to love our enemies & do good to them the despitefully use us & his commands & those of my own conscience are binding on me. To me all war is wrong & I cannot take any part in it; it is a sin against the solidarity of the human race & the brotherhood of man. So far as documentary evidence is concerned I have written several articles or sermons against war & killing & could produce some before the tribunal if necessary. They are too bulky to send with this. I believe I am now doing work of national importance, for if teaching the young is not such work, then I do not know what is.
Verdict: Exempted on condition that and so long as he continues to be employed as a School Teacher. Grounds (a) and (f) Feb 25 1916, John Evans
William Phillips, 30, Grocer + Provision Merchants' Assistant
Grounds:
Reasons: Owing to a delicate state of health + inability to do any heavy work, serious hardship + financial loss would result if my assistant was taken for Military Service.
Verdict: Exempted till 8th September 1917. Grounds (a) (d) and (e) JUN 8 - 1917 John Evans Chairman
John LLoyd Thomas, 21, Ministerial Student
Grounds:
Reasons: as a Christian it is 'absolutely impossible' to engage in military service he cannot attest with the would lead to the shedding of blood his current ministerial training is of more importance to provide the nation with a moral and spiritual upbringing
Verdict: exempt from all military service except in the Royal Army Medical Corps ground c and f John Evans Chairman Feb 25th 1916