Recognition For Executed WWI Soldiers

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo Gents,

just spotted this today: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18022007/140/reco...1-soldiers.html

Recognition For Executed Ww1 Soldiers Sunday February 18, 09:43 AM

Two First World War soldiers shot for cowardice but pardoned 90 years later are to be formally recognised on a war memorial. The names of Privates Harry Farr and James Swaine have finally been engraved on to Wealdstone war memorial in north west London. They were among 306 soldiers shot for military offences during the First World War to receive posthumous pardons last year.

The men were pardoned following years of campaigning by their descendants when Defence Secretary Des Browne made a

U-turn on an earlier Ministry of Defence decision.

Their names will be unveiled during a ceremony at the memorial later today.

Pte Farr's granddaughter Janet Booth said the ceremony was the culmination of a long campaign to clear his name.

"We've been campaigning for this for 15 years and, after getting the pardon last year, this will bring closure to the whole proceedings and we can perhaps put everything to rest and carry on with our lives," she said.

Pte Farr, of Kensington, west London, was stationed with the 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment.

He fought at the Battle of the Somme and at Neuve Chapelle, but during 1915 and 1916 reported sick four times with nerves.

His family said his symptoms were consistent with a diagnosis of "shellshock".

On 16 October 1916, Pte Farr was found guilty of "misbehaving before the enemy in such a manner as to show cowardice" and was shot the following morning, aged 25.

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Kevin in Deva

[Alex K]

Kevin This issue of pardons for ww1 soldiers guility of cowardice "in the face of the enemy" has created some debate in the UK. There has been a campaign for a "Blanket pardon" for all those so judged, however it was felt that this would not distinguish between those who were genuinely suffering from shell shock or post traumatic stress disorder as it is now known, (bearing in mind that the condition was not recognised at the time) and those who genuinely deserted their post or similar. A blanket ban was therefore thrown out. However a fair number of soldiers appear to have been pardoned in addition to the two mentioned in your post

Attached is a link on a similar vein

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4796579.stm

regards

Alex

[leigh kitchen]

Let's see if we end up with a blanket pardon - including for those executed for murder, rape etc.