Reserved occupation

[Patrickneame]

I'm curious to know what my Grand Father, Fredrick Ivo Neame, got up to during the war. It's possible that as a farmer he had a reserved occupation. My Great Uncle doesn't mention him in his book while he does write of chance meetings with his other brothers while on active service.

I've asked my dad but he doesn't know so I'm wondering what other avenues might be open to me.

[Terry Carter]

Checking the Medal Index Cards there are 63 men with the surname Neame, but, none match his initials F. I.

So you could be right. I would say Farming was a very important occupation on the Home Front.

Cheers

Terry

[Moonraker]

There was a lot of debate in Wiltshire, and doubtless in other agricultural counties, throughout the war about whether farmers and their families were better serving their country by joining up or staying on their farms. In the early months, many people in "vital" jobs rushed to enlist, and some were then "weeded out" of the services and returned to their civilian occupations. A short-sighted culture evolved very quickly that any young man not in uniform was a shirker. Even when it was conceded that farms needed some young, fit workers, there was debate about how many of, say, a farmer's three sons should stay at home.

Eventually labour shortages began to get serious, and some soldiers based in the UK were allowed to return home to help with the harvest or delegated to help farmers close to their camp.

Moonraker

[Patrickneame]

He was 34 in 1914, the oldest of the five brothers, so getting on a bit but not too old to serve while his dad was 67 but fit and active.

Where can I find the Medal Index Cards?

[Patrickneame]

I've found the index, thanks.

[Chris_Baker]

Just a quick comment. In WW1, they were not called "reserved occupations" but "starred occupations".