Conscientious Objector from Eccleshall
Spencer Alfred Lockett (1890-1967)
An objection to taking Human Life
By Jill Barber
Spencer Alfred Lockett, aged 26, of Aspley Farm, near Eccleshall was working as a stockman and shepherd on his father’s farm when conscription was introduced in 1916.
Conscientious Objector
He was also a Primitive Methodist, and believed it was wrong to kill another human being. His first application for military exemption as a conscientious objector, on 19 February 1916, was rejected. His argument that he was needed on the farm, which was essential war work, was dismissed by the Military Tribunal. His services were not indispensable as there were three sons on the farm, and two of the three should do military service.
On 11 March 1916 he appealed against the decision. In his statement he said, ‘I have a conscientious objection to combatant service. I am willing to join the AVC or the RAMC.’
Spencer was an active member of his local Primitive Methodist Church, and he asked Thomas Clamp, the Primitive Methodist Minister, to write a letter in his support. It sounds as if Thomas Clamp may not have shared his views, as he was rather lukewarm in his support. He was at pains to remain impartial, writing to the Tribunal, ‘I do not wish to dictate or even suggest your course’. However, he confirms that he has had several conversations with Spencer, and is convinced that he is ‘honest and candid’ in his reasons for seeking non-combatant service.
G H Upton, a member of the Eccleshall Branch of the North West Staffs Recruiting Committee, may have known Spencer as a fellow Primitive Methodist. He did not agree with Spencer’s views, but he certainly supported his right to hold them. From his home at Halfway House, Slindon, near Eccleshall, he wrote to the Staffordshire Appeal Tribunal:
‘I have known Spencer Lockett … for many years. I can personally testify that he genuinely holds a conscientious objection to the taking of Human Life. His objection I understand is based on his interpretation of the teaching of the Bible, he has expressed such views to me several times, especially during the present War, and I am strongly of the opinion that he would not express such views unless they were really and truly his own genuine Convictions.’
Non-Combatant service (NCC)
On 6 April 1916, the appeal board decided Spencer should be passed for non-combatant service, conditional on joining the Army Veterinary Corps. His enrolment papers were drawn up on 28 April, clearly marked, ‘Primitive Methodist’.
Spencer was now destined for the front line. He embarked at Southampton on 30 May 1916, and landed at Le Havre the next day. His service record gives his occupation as ‘Cook’, so it is unclear whether his skills were used to work with animals. But he remained in a non-combatant role until the end of the war. He was fortunate, as others accepted for the NCC were later forcibly drafted into the infantry, when the death toll was at its height.
Ploughman
Although the Armistice was signed on 11 November 1918, this did not mean immediate release for the soldiers. On 2 January 1919, Spencer was home at Aspley Farm on a short leave, but due to go back to France. His father, Alfred Lockett, wrote a letter to the Regimental Paymaster at Warwick:
‘Can you grant Pte S A Lockett, 682 2nd Northern, NCC, an extension of leave for a month to do my ploughing as I have 40 acres to plough and am not able to get anyone to do it. He was employed by me before August 1914. I have applied for him to be released, but have not heard yet. He is stationed at Bordeaux and his leave is up Tuesday January 7th.’
Spencer was granted seven days extra leave, and eventually, on a formal offer of employment as Ploughman at Aspley Farm, he was given his discharge.
Source
Military Tribunal papers, Staffordshire Archives C/C/M/2/5-187