South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 23 May 1942

Swinton Youth’s Persistence

Ordered To Go Down Pit

At Rotherham on Monday. George Arthur Stables (18), colliery employee, of 93, Queen street, Swinton, was fined £5 for having neglected to comply witha direction of the Minister of Labour.

He was also ordered by the magistrates (Mr. F. Q. C. Moss and Coun. Mrs. M. Dunn) to comply with the direction the next day and start work underground at Manvers Main Colliery.

Mr. A. S. Finings. solicitor (of Messrs. Gichard & Co.), appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. C. D. Burgess, solicitor, was for the defendant, who pleaded guilty.

Mr. Finings said the refusal of the defendant to comply had been the subject of consideration by no fewer than 42 different officials of the Ministry of Labour and National Service. The defendant had been sustained in his refusal by his father and others who felt that he had a case for exemption. Mr. Furniss said the direction was made on December 28th. The defendant had been employed at Manvers Main Colliery on the surface, first as a screen hand and then as a telephonist in connection with A.R.P. work. The defendant objected to having to go down the pit.

Mr. C. D. Burgess, speaking for the defendant, said he had refused to comply because he was advised as to his rights by several persons. The Yorkshire Miners’ Association had had the case in hand.

Mr. Furniss: The Yorkshire Miners’ Association have not supported him.

Mr. Burgess added that the regulations provided for appeals and the defendant as he was entitled to do so, had taken advantage of that. The defendant had applied for a position on the ground staff of the R.A.F. and was told there was not a vacancy. He then sat for an examination to qualify for training as a pilot but failed on arithmetic.

He had applied for a job at Thrybergh Hall pit. He actually obtained a position as telephonist with the Rotherham Borough Police Force, but was discharged when it became known that proceedings were being taken for non-compliance with the direction.

In reply to question by Mr. Burgess; “Are you now prepared to obey the direction ” the defendant answered “Well, yes.” The defendant was given the opportunity to pay the fine of £5 at the rate of a pound a week.