Freddie Baron – September Past Pavilion

Apologies for the quantity of text that follows but editing it would have adversely affected the narrative of events.

Cinema Proprietor and Military Call Up

A Cinema Operator – 29th March 1916

‍Both employer and employee applied for the exemption of a Selsey electrical engineer, operator and mechanic. The employer, a picture theatre proprietor, claimed the man’s absolute exemption on the ground of serious hardship. If this man were taken for military duty it would be impossible for him to continue to run his establishment, as owing to the highly technical nature of the employment it was not possible to introduce to the work a person with slight or incomplete knowledge.

The man’s personal application stated that he had four brothers in France, one had been lost, and another wounded. He would make the sixth son if he had to go. He had to support his parents.

The employer, replying to the Chairman, said that the machine might run for eight or nine days without any trouble whatever, and on the ninth day something might hang up, which the ordinary man in the street could not put right.

The Chairman: There are surely other skilled men in Selsey who could do this?

The employer: I think I may say, with all respect to Selsey, that there are not. It is the only electrical plant in Selsey, and beyond two people, who would not take the job on, there is no one.

The Chairman: No one in the plumbing business?

The employer: I went to one man. but he was very much afraid of electricity and would have it not.

Replying to the Rev. R. B. P. Wells the employer said he could do the man’s work himself but he had defective eyesight, and could not run the projector. There was a very powerful light in the operating box, and this prevented him seeing properly.

The Chairman: Are you of military age yourself?

The employer: Yes, I am an attested man, and I expect I shall have the pleasure interviewing you gentlemen on my own behalf shortly. (Laughter).

The operator himself was also questioned, and after they had retired, a member the Tribunal remarked that it would be better for labour if these picture palaces were shut for six months.

The application was refused, and upon being informed that appeal could be made within three days the employer signified his intention taking that course.

West Sussex Appeals Tribunal – 3rd May 1916

The proprietor of the Selsey Cinema applied for his electrician {33). He said the man was absolutely indispensable, working the electric plant and operating the projecting apparatus, the work of two men.

A total £150 had been collected in charities for the Hall, which had been used for other patriotic purposes.

Application was made on the ground of serious hardship. The Military Representative pointed out that this was out of order, applicant being the employer. He acknowledged, however, applicant’s assistance in the work of recruiting.

Applicant said he could not attend to the projector himself because of bad eyesight. It was decided not to alter the decision of the local Tribunal, but in order to give applicant a chance to put his affairs in order it was decided not to promulgate the decision for a fortnight, giving him altogether a month's extension in effect.

A Selsey Appeal – 7th June 1916

‍A double appeal was received respect of a Selsey man. As a cinema proprietor he appealed for himself, and a motor and cycle agent also appealed for him, he having come forward to help him in “war work” in the capacity of chauffeur.

The personal appeal stated that enlistment would mean closing down the business, and the leaving on his hands of machinery, liabilities etc., while, as his health was indifferent he claimed he would be more useful to the State in his present employment. He had the cinema on a lease of seven years, of which about one had run. He had also had painting and decorating business, but that was now closing down, his men having all gone. The £104 allowed under the relief scheme would not more than pay his rent, rates, and taxes.

Four months’ exemption was allowed on this appeal, but the chauffeur appeal was dismissed. Lieutenant Marshall expressed approval of the commendable efforts in aid of recruiting made by applicant in lending his hall, etc.

Westhampnett Appeals Tribunal – 18th October 1916

Selsey Cinema Proprietor 36, five months on grounds of domestic hardship.

The Military to Appeal for A Selsey Cinema Proprietor – 11th April 1917

Some little time was spent in the hearing of an application by Selsey Cinema proprietor, etc., 34. who asked for a renewal of his exemption.

In the course his examination he said he had a son only six weeks old. He was now doing the work of a motor mechanic in addition to the cinema business. He offered his services to a local tradesman to enable another man to enlist, and he had now taken his place, being the only mechanic in the business. He also mentioned that a sum over £200 had been raised for entertainments at his cinema for charity, and he had done his part in aiding recruiting. The cinema was now being used by the Volunteers for drill on two nights each week. He was working the cinema single-handed except for the help his wife could give him, and he only had a boy to assist him at the motor works.

The Tribunal decided to give exemption for six weeks, final.

Selsey Cinema – 6th June 1917

‍A Selsey cinema proprietor, 35, asked for leave to apply for a further temporary exemption. He said his wife would not be able to run the show. He had had a bad winter, and he would like to go on for this season and make up for it.

The application was refused, but Mr. Drewitt remarked that the applicant had been of very great assistance to the military in the past, and perhaps they would give him short time to settle his affairs before calling him up.

25th June 1919

Mr. D. Faulkner applied behalf of Mrs. Louisa Baron, for cinematograph license for the “Selsey Hall.” Selsey. It was stated that the license was first granted in 1915. but that it had not been, applied for during the past two years, and Mr. Baron was in the Army.

It was now desired to re-open the Hall. The application was granted.

SELSEY. War Distinction – 9th February 1921

The many friends of John F. Baron (Freddie) late of the Cinema, Selsey will be pleased to hear that the King has awarded him the certificate for gallant and distinguished service in the field.

He was mentioned in dispatches by Lieut.-General Sir W. R. Marshall K.C.B., K.C.S.I. It will be remembered he served with the Motor Transport in Mesopotamia for about two years.