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The Military Service Bill became law on February 10th.
The Act stated that all males, aged 18 to 41, who were unmarried or a widower without any dependant children, were deemed to have enlisted for the period of the war and would be transferred to the reserve. 'If a man considers he should be exempt, he can apply for an exemption certificate.' Exemption could be granted if his work at home was in the national interest; or he suffered from ill health; his business would suffer through his absence or he were a conscientious objector. Local tribunals were to be set up to hear appeals.
"At the Bathgate tribunal, Hugh Currie, City Farm, was granted conditional exemption for his ploughman, but the appeal on behalf of his byreman, John Smith, was refused. Mr Currie stated that he farmed 216 acres and the two men were his only male helpers."
"David Millar, Auchinhard Farm, West Calder, appealed for his son David, who owing to the appellants ill health, was the manager of the farm. A doctor's certificate was produced, certifying the correctness of the statement regarding illness. The farm extended to 60 acres, and the son was the only one employed on the farm. Appellant had a son serving in the army. Conditional exemption was granted."
"James Philip, photographer, West Calder, appealed on business grounds against the decision of the tribunal, but the appeal was dismissed.
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