Conscription and Guernsey

[Chris_Baker]

Simple question: did the Military Service Act 1916 apply to Guernsey?

[IPT]

"Therefore both the Bailiwicks passed Military Service Acts which meant that all men of military age were conscripted unless they were already employed in a vital job."

So yes and no, really.

[MartinWills]

I think it was not until late 1916 (November?) that conscription was introduced in Guernsey which suggests that it was Guernsey legislation which governed conscription there. It is certainly the case that a separate Militiary Servie Act (1917) was enacted in Jersey as a result of pressure put on both Guernsey and Jersey to introduce compulsory conscription

Perhaps someone else has the definitive answer. The Channel Islands Great War Study Group may be able to confirm the position see http://www.greatwarci.net/

[1RGLI]

Chris,

As Martin points out the Military Service Act for the UK, did not automatically apply to the Channel Islands, as both Islands had thier own legislation and Government. However each Island did eventually bow to pressure from the Mainland, with Reginald Hart V.C. at the for front of military matters in Guernsey, it was not long before the act was passed in Guernsey, and later Jersey got on board with the concept.

This was not easy as the French imigrant workforce had already left in 1914 to fight with France, along with some intitial British volunteers leaving the island short of man power for the production of food for the U.K. and local Islands, this combined with the local Volunteer Militia force needing to be first disbanded (as it was not in its remit to serve abroad) and re-surecting a new force into one of Kitchener's New Army Service Battalions.

This issue is highlighted and tackled in a new book by Ian Ronayne called OURS - The Jersey Pals in the First World War, published by the History Press.

With such small communities both Islands suffered terribly, with hugh family losses on both Islands, the casualty loss rate was eventually higher in percentage terms that the rest of the U.K.

Mark.

[Chris_Baker]

I am only thirteen years late with this, but thank you. The question came up in relation to another soldier I am researching today.

[1RGLI]

Only a 1 year and a month late in an emoji 

Edited 11 April by 1RGLI