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Harry Cartmell was Mayor of Preston for the duration of the war. He took his duties extremely seriously and later wrote detailed memoirs. One of his tasks was to chair the local military tribunal, helping to decide whether men should be exempt from joining the forces.

His account provides a rare insight into the many reasons – or excuses – they had to consider. For example, he says many black pudding makers argued they should not be sent to war because the job was too gruesome for women.

He also talks about women begging the tribunal to make their husbands join up because of their drunkenness and violence.

One account describes how the tribunal excused a man who was bringing up five children on his own. But another man – who was caring for his blind father – had to join up. His father was sent to a home.

Cartmell – who was knighted after the war – also describes his dealings with conscientious objectors. He believes they were dealt with fairly and he says he respected men who genuinely put their pacifist beliefs first.

Emma Heslewood from the Harris Museum in Preston says responsibilities of the war years took their toll on the town’s Mayor.

Sir Harry died in 1923.

Location: Preston, Lancashire PR1 1YT
Image: Portrait of Harry Cartmell, courtesy of History Harris Museum

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