}
Exemption and reserved occupations
‘Exempted from being called up for military service’
Exemption certificate, 1916
Some jobs were considered vital to the war effort in Britain such as bus and train drivers, shipyard workers, farmers, clergymen and doctors. Men in these ‘scheduled occupations’ wore an armband to show that they had volunteered but been refused. This prevented them being the target of accusations of cowardice.
Some jobs were considered vital to the war effort in Britain such as bus and train drivers, shipyard workers, farmers, clergymen and doctors. Men in these ‘scheduled occupations’ wore an armband to show that they had volunteered but been refused. This prevented them being the target of accusations of cowardice.