Father’s call-up means he is latest member of family to serve country

A 48 year-old county council employee, whose family were contributing mightily to the war effort, faced call-up himself.

A appeal submitted on his behalf was made to a Stirling area recruitment tribunal.

The man, who was not named by the Observer, had served seven years in the Army but at the time was employed as keeper of Sheriff Court House and County Buildings, and bar officer in the sheriff courts.

He was married and had two sons who had both left protected occupations to join the Army. Both had three years’ service and one had attained the rank of sergeant-major while another was quartermaster sergeant major. The man’s eldest daughter was a hospital nurse and another daughter was in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. His youngest son was employed in the ordnance department at Forthside.

The applicant said he would have joined up as quickly others but the county council had urged him to seek exemption as he was engaged in a “public and useful occupation”.

However, recruitment officer Major Alston urged him to “withdraw the application”, and the tribunal chairman added: “no-one can keep you back”.

The man said he was quite willing to join up though he had no special wish to do so.

Tribunal members dismissed the application for exemption but said the man would not be called up for a month.