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Deafness and The Great War At the beginning of the First World War thousands of men signed up to join the armed forces to do their patriotic duty for ‘King and Empire’. Some saw it as a sense of adventure and a way to escape their arduous or monotonous life, and by the end of 1914, 1,186,337 men had enlisted. They came from all walks-of-life – everyone wanted to do their bit. But those with hearing loss were rejected by the army and in some cases, rejected by their communities for their perceived cowardice. Yet some saw them as the lucky ones, fortunate, to avoid active service and escape the fighting. These men were not all expecting to fight at the front, they just wanted to be useful and assist the war effort. At the start of war the editor of the British Deaf Times, asked ‘what possibilities there were for deaf people to help with the war effort’. A letter sent to Lord Kitchener, the Secretary of State for War, pointed out ‘that deaf young men were eager to share the Empire’s work’. The government responded by stating that, ‘there were no opportunities at present available to make use of them’. Following the introduction of conscription in 1916, things changed. With many of the workingmen sent out to France to fight there was an urgent need for manpower in factories across the country. Finally, deaf people became involved in the country’s war effort, taking up employment as munitions workers – making and testing shells, fuses, and manufacturing everything from tools through to wheels. When War was first declared, security was tightened throughout the country and sentries were posted at many important installations, rail and shipping depots and essential bridges. But many deaf people were unaware of the situation, resulting in some paying for it with their lives. There are a number of stories about deaf people being randomly shot while walking home from work, cycling or generally carrying out everyday duties. In many cases, they were challenged to stop by sentries but unable to hear the sentry’s commands, (who may have been some distance away) continued on their way. After several challenges they were shot, becoming unforeseen casualties of war.
London deaf on munition work showing bombs. Picture: Action on Hearing loss
Charles Carroll, was shot by a London Territorial sentry. He was examining an Aldershot railway bridge, and was challenged six times by the sentry before the latter fired. Carroll, who is almost stone deaf, is seriously wounded. The Times Charles Carroll later died of his wounds, and so became another casualty of war.
Reports of these tragic deaths found their way into the local and national press and so in September 1914, the British Deaf Times published a set of guidelines warning its readers not to go out walking alone, avoid loitering by bridges, stations or go near railway lines, in addition they should be accompanied by a hearing person where possible. Although strict rules were set in place barring people with a hearing impairment from serving as soldiers, a number of deaf people managed to get into the army and some, even made their way to the Front. Harry Ward, born deaf and dumb, was a 27-year-old teacher from Cardiff. He somehow managed to pass the army medical and joined the Munster Fusiliers and did his basic training in Ireland. Private Gomer Jones was profoundly deaf since early infancy and had no sight in his right eye. Jones was said to be the best marksman in his company and a skilled soldier, indistinguishable from his fellow fighters. Frederick Morffew, was determined to make it to the front. Surprisingly he passed his medical and joined the army in May 1915. He served for around six weeks before being discharged on account of his deafness. Undeterred, he joined the labour corps and was posted to France. Many though were soon to be discharged because of their disability, cutting short their army service. James Clarke from Ballymena, Northern Ireland had enlisted in September 1914 and served until December, a total of 83 days. His discharge paper stated that he suffered from ‘deafness, in both ears for the last five years, he has not heard a word of command since joining the battalion.’ The enthusiasm to be involved was also reflected in those from the British Colonies. Howard Lloyd from Ontario in Canada was registered as being deaf. His hearing was severely damaged following a bout of whooping cough when he was young. He successfully enlisted in the army and served in the trenches near Arras Northern France during the war. His first three attempts to enlist were unsuccessful. On one occasion, the doctor was chewing gum. Howard, watching lips and straining ears in an effort to pass the examination finally asked the doctor to remove his gum so he could understand what was being said. At this point the doctor realised he had defective hearing and he was hastily shown the door. Undeterred, he was finally accepted in the summer of 1916 and signed up to become an infantryman. He trained in Canada for six months before being transferred to England and in February 1917 was sent to France, where he served in the front-line trenches. He volunteered for bombing raids continued on page 10
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