.
Private Thomas Highgate was the first to suffer such military justice. Unable to bear the carnage of 7,800 British troops at the Battle of Mons, he had fled and hidden in a barn. He was undefended at his trial because all his comrades from the Royal West Kents had been killed, injured or captured. Just 35 days into the war, Private Highgate was executed at the age of 17.
Many similar stories followed, among them that of 16-year-old Herbert Burden, who had lied that he was two years older so he could join the Northumberland Fusiliers. Ten months later, he was court-martialled for fleeing after seeing his friends massacred at the battlefield of Bellwarde Ridge. He faced the firing squad still officially too young to be in his regiment.
Courts martial were anxious to make an example and those on trial could expect little support from medical officers. One such doctor later recalled, ‘I went to the trial determined to give him no help, for I detest his type – I really hoped he would be shot.’
«« click for Shot at Dawn Campaign
BBC History - World War I
● Young Iraq vet: “I’ve pretty much convinced myself that (insurgents) aren’t coming to get me.” "But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."
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Interesting piece of history. Thanks again Oui. YOu make us proud.
Someone posted this up!!
Have looked around and unless it was up earlier, on the other sites, this was the first I’ve seen it after finding it myself.
Here’s abit more:
Papers welcome WWI pardons plan
Proposals to pardon men executed by firing squad for cowardice in World War I dominate several papers.
The figure of a blindfolded boy aged 17 dominates the front page of the Daily Telegraph under the headline “Pardoned: the 306 soldiers shot at dawn”.
The statue is a memorial to the men executed at sunrise who may now be granted posthumous pardons.
The proposals are warmly welcomed by the papers, with the Telegraph saying the move reflects a welcome change.
‘Honour at last’
The Daily Mirror calls the proposed pardons of soldiers shot for cowardice “honour at last” for men who today would be invalided out of the Army.
The Sun says it would remove a stain from our history, and represent victory for the family of Pte Harry Farr.
But there is a note of caution from the historian, Corelli Barnett. He tells the Telegraph the pardons would be a “pointless” gesture.
He says they were decisions made in the heat of war.
This Link takes you to their search page which has some other links related to this. In todays World these Soldiers would be Diagnosed as suffering from PTSD!!
Rest Of Article Can Be Found Here
Way past time for the pardons.
Shooting your own young men, boys of 16, 17, 20. . . .
I have to say it just one more time, I COULD NOT POSSIBLY BE FROM THIS PLANET! (and it’s getting pretty hard to stay here even now. . .geeze)
Hugs to all their families and the memories of young boys forced into the carnage, whether WWI or any of the other continuous wars waged here.
Shirl