Small Men Wanted for Tanks!

This article was in the Eastbourne Gazette. It gives an excellent indication of the feeling of the times.

Mr. Beattie was the Government representative at Tribunals and had a reputation of sending everyone that he could to the front. I love his statement that a musician is no use to the nation!!

11th October 1916 - Eastbourne Gazette

WANTED FOR THE TANKS

Great Demand for Small Men

"On Wednesday a member of the Devonshire Park Orchestra who has been passed for garrison service abroad and will be 41 on the 8th December next, appeared before the Eastbourne Borough Tribunal. In his written application he pointed out that he was not only a question of flexibility of the fingers, but of the wrist and that a short period of military work would occasion a loss of technique which it would take a long time to regain. He also mentioned that he was just under seven stone in weight.

Mr Beattie- “There is a great demand for small men for the tanks.”
Alderman E. Duke- “Mr Beattie wants them all.”
Mr Beattie- “They are taking men under five feet for the tanks. This man would not be taken as he has been passed for garrison duty. As a musician he is of no use to the nation. As a soldier he would be of some use.”

The Tribunal granted twelve weeks exemption."