Shot at dawn - British WW1 Military Executions.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

For some reason, I have always thought that " Shot at Dawn " British Military Executions carried our during WW1 were rare, perhaps 10 or 20. However, when researching another matter, I came upon a website which lists various British Military Cemeteries in Belgium, France and Turkey, and within those lists, they break down various catagories, including those " Shot at Dawn ". I was expecting to see just a few, but was extremely surprised to see that each Military Cemetery I looked at had them, and some had many. As I extracted the data, the list grew to hunderds, and hundreds. Also, the offences were many, from the obvious like, Murder, Desertion and Cowardice, there were also others, Striking a superior officer, Casting off arms, Disobedience, and Quitting his post.

As this is a Forum dedicated, amongst other things, to the History of the Great War, I wanted to publish the lists as historical data, both for the historical record and for the members, many of whom I am sure, like myself, will be seeing this data in detail for the first time.

This is not intended to be a condemnation list, far from it, some may see it as highlighting a terrible aspect of WW1. Obviously, those found guilty of Murder, having had a fair trial, were teated the same way as anyone in then civilian life, some may even say that the bullet is better than the noose. Then there were were those, many being young men, who having been subjected to days, and days of constant shelling, little or no sleep, scared to death, just could not take it any more, and just ran off, trying to put as much distance between themselves and the horrors of the trenches, hoping to find a quiet spot for just a while. And who is to say, the Senior Officer did not provoke the Private into giving him a whack! and even if he did, was death by firing squad the right penalty ?

I see this list as some sort of reminder to the Horrors of War, and the stark facts which confronted the British Soldier, not just from the enemy.

This is also current public record.

I shall post the list by the country where the British Military Cemetery is located :-

Belgium :

Shot at Dawn: Privates A.D. Thompson, J. Robinson and B. Hartells all of the Worcestershire Regiment were shot for desertion on 26 July 1915, they are buried together in Plot 2 Row A 6, 7, 8.

Shot at Dawn: Private Frederick Turner of the 1/6th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers, executed for desertion 23/10/17, he is buried in Enclosure No.4, plot 4, row A. 18.

SHOT AT DAWN

Private T. Hawkins, 7th Royal West Surrey Regiment (Queen’s), who was executed for desertion on 22/11/1917, Plot 2. B. 12.

Private A. H. Westwood, East Surrey Regiment, he was executed for desertion on 23/11/1917, Plot 2. B. 13.

Rifleman F. N. Slade, 2/6th Bn. London Regiment, executed on 14/12/1917 for disobedience and buried in Plot 2. B. 33.

Private W. Wycherley 2nd Manchester Regiment executed 12/9/17 and buried in Plot 3 Row G. 6

Shot at Dawn:

Private W. Wycherley 2nd Manchester Regiment executed 12/9/17 and buried in Plot 3 Row G. 6. - Desertion.

Rifleman F. W. Cheeseman 18th Kings Royal Rifle Corps, executed 20/10/17, he is buried in Plot 4 Row G. 23. - Desertion.

Sapper A. P. Oyns 50th Search Light Company Royal Engineers, executed 20/10/1917, Plot 4 Row G. 24. - Murder.

Shot at Dawn: Lance Corporal J. S.V. Fox, 1st Bn. Wiltshire Regiment, attached 3rd Division Cyclists’ Company, executed for desertion 20/04/1915, Plot D. 15.

Shot at Dawn: Private F. Broadrick, 11th Bn. Warwickshire Regiment, executed for desertion on 01/081917, Plot 2. J. 24.

Shot at Dawn: Private J. Seymour, 2nd Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, executed for desertion on 24/01/1918, Plot 3. F. 10.

Shot at Dawn: Private G. Watkins, 13th Bn. Welsh Regiment, executed for desertion 15/05/1917, Plot 3. C. 12.

Private R. Hope, 1st Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, executed for desertion 05/07/1917, Plot 3. G. 12.

Shot at Dawn: Private W. Dossett 1/4th Bn. Yorks and Lancs Regiment, executed for desertion 25/06/1918, Plot I. E. 7.

Shot at Dawn: Rifleman S. McBride, 2nd Bn. Royal Irish Rifles, executed for desertion on 07/12/1916, Row A. 17.

Shot at Dawn: Private S. Stewart, 2nd Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers, executed for desertion 29/08/1917, Row G. 66. Private J. Smith, 17th Bn. King’s Liverpool Regiment, executed for desertion 05/09/1917, Row M. 25.

Shot at Dawn: Private L. Mitchell, 8th Bn. Yorks and Lancs Regiment, executed for desertion 19/09/1917, plot 3. A. 2.

Shot at Dawn: Private William Baker, 26th Bn. Royal Fusiliers, executed for desertion 14/08/1918, plot 25. B. 22.

Shot at Dawn: Private J. Byers and Private A. Evans both of the 1st Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers executed for desertion 06/02/1915, Plot 1. A. 1/2 respectively.

Private G E. Collins of the 1st Bn Lincolnshire Regiment, executed for desertion 15/02/1915, plot 1. B. 1.

Shot at Dawn: Private D J. Blakemore, 8th Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment executed for desertion 09/07/1917, plot 1. A. 22. View this soldiers headstone

Private W. Jones, 9th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, executed for desertion 25/10/1917, plot 1. C. 4.

Shot at Dawn: Private A. Parry, 2nd Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment, executed for desertion 30/08/1917, row K. 4.

Shot at Dawn: Private J. J. Hyde, King's Royal Rifle Corps, executed for desertion, 05/09/1917, plot 5. A. 29.

Private C. Britton, 1/5th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment executed for desertion, 12/09/1917, plot 7. F. 36.

Private D. Gibson of 12th Bn. Royal Scots, executed for desertion, 24/9/1918, plot 10. E. 19.

Shot at Dawn: Private J. McFarlane 4th Bn. King's Liverpool Regiment, executed for desertion 22/05/1918, plot 11. A. 2.

Private J. Nisbet 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regiment, executed for desertion 23/08/1918, plot 15. C. 21.

Shot at Dawn:

Private G. E Roe, 2nd Bn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, executed for desertion, 10/06/1915, Plot 6. K. 20

Private T. Harris, 1st Bn. Royal West Kent Regiment, executed for desertion, 21/06/1915 Plot 5. K. 14.

Private T. Docherty, 2nd Bn. King's Own Scottish borderers, executed for desertion,16/07/1915, Plot 6, E. 1.

Corporal F. Ives, 3rd Bn. Worcestershire Regiment, executed for desertion, 26/07/1915, Plot 1. G. 41.

Private E. Fellows, 3rd Bn. Worcestershire Regiment, executed for desertion, 26/07/1915 Plot 5. K. 13.

Private L. R. Phillips, 6th Bn. Somerset Light Infantry, executed for desertion, 19/08/1915, Plot 6. K. 1.

Private E. Fraser, 2nd Bn. Royal Scots, executed for desertion 02/08/1915, commemorated on Special Memorial C/8.

Shot at Dawn: There are 17 burials in this cemetery, all of whom were executed for either desertion (D) or cowardice ©:

Private J. H. Wilson, 4th Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, 09/07/1916, Plot 2. H. 2. (D)

Private C. La Liberte, 3rd Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, 04/08/1916, Plot 2. H. 3. (D)

Private J. Bennett, 1st Bn. Hampshire Regiment, 28/08/1916, Plot 2. J. 7. ©

Private A. Botfield, 9th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment, 18/10/1916, Plot 2. F. 7. ©

Private R. Stevenson, 1/4th Bn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, 25/10/1916, Plot 2. H. 9. (D)

Private B. McGeehan, 1/8th Bn. King’s Liverpool Regiment, 02/11/1916, Plot 2. D. 9. (D)

Private R. T. Tite, 13th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment, 25/11/1916, Plot 2. F. 9. ©

Private W. H. Simmonds, 23rd Bn. Middlesex Regiment, 01/12/1916, Plot 2. E. 9 (D)

Second Lieutenant E. S. Poole, 11th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment, 10/12/1916, Plot 2. A. 11. (D)

Private J. Crampton, 9th Bn. Yorks & Lancs Regiment, 04/02/1917, Plot 2. B. 14 (D)

Private J. W. Fryer, 12th Bn. Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, 14/06/1917, Plot 2. D. 14. (D)

Private J. S. Michael, 10th Bn. Cameronians, 24/08/1917, Plot 2. H. 24. (D)

Private J. Steadman, Machine Gun Corps, 05/09/1917, Plot 2. F. 41. (D)

Sergeant J. T. Wall, 3rd Bn. Worcestershire Regiment, 06/09/1917, Plot 2. F. 42. (D)

Private G. Everill, 1st Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment, 14/09/1917, Plot 2. F. 44. (D)

Private H. Morris, 6th Bn. British West Indies Regiment, 20/09/1917, Plot 2. F. 45. (D)

Private F. C. Gore, 7th Bn. The Buffs ( East Kent Regiment), 16/10/1917, Plot 2. J. 34. (D)

Shot at Dawn: Coolie C. C. Wang, Chinese Labour Corps, executed for murder, 08/05/1919, Plot 2. O. 54.

Rifleman R. L Barker, 6th Bn. Royal Fusiliers, executed for cowardice 04/11/1916, Plot 2. E. 15.

Private F. Loader, 1/22nd Bn. Royal Fusiliers, executed for desertion 19/08/1917, Plot 3. B. 14.

Private W. Smith, 3/5th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers, executed for desertion 14/11/1917, Plot 4. B. 28.

Private V. M. Spencer, 1st Bn. (Otago) New Zealand Regiment, executed for desertion 24/02/1918, Plot 15.

B. 10.

Private H. Hughes, 1st/5th Bn. Yorks and Lancs Regiment, executed for desertion 10/04/1918, Plot 15. D. 15.

Shot at Dawn: Driver A. Lamb 21st Battery, 2nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, executed for desertion, 02/10/1915,

plot 2. E. 12.

Private A. Rickman, 1st Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers, executed for desertion 15/09/1916, plot IV. D. 7.

Shot at Dawn: Private E. Delargey, 1/8th Bn. Royal Scots, executed for desertion on 06/09/1917, plot 9. H.19.

Shot at Dawn: Rifleman T. Donovan, 16th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps, executed for desertion 13/10/1917 Plot 2. D. 14.

Shot at Dawn: Private H. H. Chase, 2nd Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers, executed for cowardice 12/06/1915, Plot 3. P. 1.

Private W. J. Turpie, 2nd Bn. Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment), executed for desertion on 01/07/1915, Plot 2. C. 24.

Private R. W. Gawler and Private A. E. Eveleigh, both of the 1st Bn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), executed for desertion 24/02/1916, Plot 3. L. 9/10 respectively.

Private T. L. Moles, 54th Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion 22/10/1917, plot 1. H. 76.

Private E. Lawrence, 2nd Bn. Devonshire Regiment, executed for desertion 22/11/1917, plot 1. I. 45.

Private C. F. McColl, 1/4th Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment, executed for desertion 28/12/1917, plot 4. A. 6.

France :

Shot at Dawn: Private W. B. Nelson of the 14th Durham Light Infantry, executed for desertion on 11/08/1916 is buried in plot 1. B. 18.

Shot at Dawn: Rifleman, W Yeoman of 1st/12th Bn. Royal Fusiliers (Rangers), executed for desertion on 03/07/1917 and buried in row B.16, also executed for desertion on 16/06/1917 and buried in row C.11 is Private, J Meyers of the 1st/13th Bn. Royal Fusiliers.

Shot at Dawn: Private, A Mitchell of 1/6 Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers is buried in plot 4. R. 3. He was executed for desertion on 20/08/1917.

Shot at Dawn: Private's, G Comte and J La Lancette of the 22nd Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force both executed for desertion on 03/07/1917 and buried in plot 1. F. 20 and 21 respectively.

Shot at Dawn: Private, H. Palmer, 1/5 Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers, executed for desertion on 27/10/1916 and buried in plot I. P. 65, also, in plot 1. R. 43, Pioneer, E. Beeby, 212th Company, Royal Engineers, executed on 09/12/1916.

Shot at Dawn: Private, A L Jefferies of the 6th Bn. King's Own Shropshire Light Infantry, executed for desertion on 01/11/1916 and buried in plot 3. O. 1.

Shot at Dawn: Private J Rogers, 2nd Bn. South Lancashire Regiment, executed for desertion on 09/03/1917, plot 3. A. 3.

Shot at Dawn: Private W Clarke, 2nd Bn. Durham Light Infantry, executed for desertion on 09/02/1918, plot 1. D. 18.

Shot at Dawn: Company Quartermaster Sergeant W. Alexander, 10th Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion on 18/10/1917, plot 2. D. 43.

Shot at Dawn: Private C. Depper, 1/4th Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment, executed for desertion 13/09/1916, row G. 1.

Shot at Dawn: Private L. De Lisle, 22nd Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion 21/05/1918, plot 2. J. 6.

Shot at Dawn: there are four soldiers buried here that were executed for desertion; Plot 1. J. 12. Private, A. T. Ansted of the 4th Bn. Royal Fusiliers, executed on 15/11/1916. Private J. Taylor of the 15th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers was executed on 27/1/1917, he is buried in plot 2. A. 15. Executed on 31/1/1917 and buried in 2. A. 17 is Private A. Reid of the 16th Bn. Highland Light Infantry. In plot 2. A. 19 is Rifleman W Murphey of the 5/6 Bn. Royal Scots, he was executed on 7/2/1917.

Shot at Dawn: Private R. Morgan, 2nd Bn. Welsh Regiment, executed for murder 15/02/1915, plot 4. A. 17. Lance Corporal W Price, 2nd Welsh Regiment, executed for murder 15/02/1915, plot 4. A. 18. Private E Bryant, 10th Bn. Cheshire Regiment, executed for desertion 27/10/1917, plot 6. H. 3.

Shot at Dawn: Private J Archibald, 17th Bn. Royal Scots, executed for desertion 04/06/1916, plot 2. D. 15. (Extension)

, plot 2. G. 11.

Shot at Dawn: Private G Mills, 2nd Bn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, executed for desertion 29/09/1915, plot 8. B. 81.

Lance Bombardier F S Arnold, 1st Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, executed for desertion 25/ 07/1916, plot 8. A. 137.

Private J W Roberts, 2nd Bn. Canadian Mounted Rifles, executed for desertion 30/07/1916, plot 8. A. 154.

Acting Corporal J R Short, 24th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers, executed for mutiny 04/10/1917, plot 8. I. 43.

Shot at Dawn: Private A G Earp, 1/5th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment, executed 22/07/1916 for quitting his post, plot 1. C. 25. (Extension)

Shot at Dawn: Plot 2. K. 11. Corporal J Wilton of the 15th Sherwood Foresters, executed on 17/8/1916 for quitting his post.

Shot at Dawn: Rifleman W Bellamy, 1st Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps, executed 16/07/1915 for cowardice, plot 4. D. 19.

Private G H Lawton, 17th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment), executed 30/07/1916 for cowardice, plot 5. G. 13.

Private B McCubbin, 17th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) executed for cowardice 30/07/1916, plot 5. B. 16.

Shot at Dawn: Private J. B. Milburn, 24/27th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers, executed for desertion 08/11/1917, plot 2. C. 8. Private E. Horler, 12th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment, executed for desertion 17/02/1918, plot 2. L. 14.

Shot at Dawn: Private J Smith, 1st Bn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, executed for desertion 02/07/1916, plot 2. A. 9.

Shot at Dawn: Private E Young, 25th Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion 29/10/1916, plot 2. B. 14.

Shot at Dawn: Private D Stevenson, 13th Bn. Middlesex Regiment, executed for desertion 18/07/1918, plot 5. G. 1.

Shot at Dawn: Driver J. W. Swaine, 54th Battery, 39th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, executed for desertion 09/06/1916, row B. 6.

Shot at Dawn: The following are commemorated on special memorials within the cemetery: Lance Corporal P. Sands, 1st Bn. Royal Irish Rifles, executed for desertion 15/09/1915, special memorial 41, originally buried in Fleurbaix Churchyard, his grave is now lost. Private J. Wishard, 7th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, executed for desertion 15/06/1917, special memorial 51, originally buried in Merris Churchyard, his grave is now lost.

Shot at Dawn: Private C M Milligan, 10th Cameronians, executed for desertion 03/06/1917, plot 19. A. 14.

Shot at Dawn: Private E W Harris, 10th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers, executed for desertion 03/02/1917, row Z. 11. also buried within the cemetery in row Z. 10. Driver R Murray, 81st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, executed for desertion 03/02/1917.

Rfn. Harry POOLE. 7th Bn. Yorkshire Regt. (Green Howards). Executed 9th Dec. 1916. Near north-west corner of cemetery

Pte. W. H. RANDLE. 10th Bn. Sherwood Foresters. Executed 25th Nov. 1916. Near north-west corner of cemetery, both these soldiers were executed for desertion

Shot at Dawn: Private W N Ling, 2nd Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion on 12/08/1918. Plot 2. N. 20.

Shot at Dawn: Lance Corporal A Atkinson, 1st Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment, executed for desertion 02/03/1915, row B. 8.

Private E Kirk, 1st Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment, executed for desertion 06/03/1915, row B. 9.

Acting Corporal A Chisholm, 20th Army Troop Company, Royal Engineers, executed for Murder 17/05/1915, row B. 27.

Shot at Dawn: Private A Holmes, 8th Bn. King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, executed for desertion 24/08/1918, plot 3. C. 10. P

Private R W Simmers, 2nd Bn. Royal Scots, executed for desertion 19/05/1918, plot 3. A. 19.

Shot at Dawn: Private F. C. H. Bladen, 10th Bn. Yorks and Lancs Regt., executed for desertion 23/03/1916, plot 9. G. 94.

Private A. H. Robinson, 9th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers, executed for desertion 10/05/1916, plot 1. A. 18.

Private J Higgins, 1st/9th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, executed for desertion 26/08/1916, plot 1. F. 22.

Private T. H. B. Rigby, 10th Bn. South Wales borderers, executed for desertion 22/11/1917, plot 2. A. 3.

Shot at Dawn: Private J Carey, 7th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers executed 15/09/1916 for desertion, plot 2. C. 86.

Shot at Dawn: Driver J Spencer, 65th Battery, 8th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, executed for desertion 29/09/1915, row B. 2.

Shot at Dawn: Private J J Sweeney, 1st Bn. Otago Regiment (New Zealand), executed for desertion 02/10/1916, plot 2. B. 1.

Shot at Dawn: 5. G. 46, Corporal J. Reid, 6th Bn. Cameronians was executed for desertion on 11/5/1918.

Shot at Dawn:

Lance Corporal J Holland, 10th Bn. Cheshire Regiment, executed for cowardice on 30/05/16, plot 2. E. 17.

Private E Perry 22nd Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion on 11/04/1917, plot 6. C. 7.

Private D Sinizki, 52nd Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for cowardice on 09/10/1917, plot 6. K. 19.

Private M. R. Richmond, 1/6 Gordon Highlanders, executed for desertion on 26/05/1918, plot 5. L. 8.

Shot at Dawn: Private J Cassidy, 1st Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, executed for desertion on 23/07/1916 and buried in D. 5.

Shot at Dawn: Private G Hunter, 2nd Bn. Durham Light Infantry, executed for desertion on 02/07/1916, plot 1. B. 1A.

Shot at Dawn: Private A. Troughton, 1st Bn. Royal Welch Fusiliers, executed for desertion 22/04/1915, plot 3. D. 6.

Private A. Penn, 1st Bn. Royal Welch Fusiliers, executed for desertion 22/04/1915, plot 3. D. 6. (Both soldiers are in the same grave).

Shot at Dawn: Private R G Pattison of the 7th Queen's Regiment was executed on 4/7/1917 for desertion and Private J E Barnes of the 7th Royal Sussex Regiment, also shot for desertion on the 4/7/1917, these two soldiers are buried in plot 4. J. 16/17 respectively.

Shot at Dawn: Rifleman A E Allsop of the 12th King's Royal Rifle Corps is buried in plot 1 B 20, he was shot for desertion on 15/6/1917.

Shot at Dawn: Private J A Anderson of the 12th King's (Liverpool) Regiment was shot for cowardice on 12/9/1916, he is buried in plot D 22.

Shot at Dawn: Private H J Knight of the 1st Royal West Surrey Regiment is buried in plot 6. E. 20. he was executed for desertion on 6/10/1918.

Shot at Dawn: In plot 3. F. 2 lies Private J. Lewis of the 5th Bn. Dorset Regiment, he was executed for desertion on 19/04/1917.

Shot at Dawn: Private W. E. Anderson, 5th Bn. Dorset Regiment, executed for desertion 31/03/1917, plot 1. P. 1.

Shot at Dawn: Private L. Harris, 10th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment, executed 07/11/1918 for desertion, row B. 34.

Shot at Dawn: Private T. Hopkins, 1/8th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers, executed for leaving his post 13/02/1918, plot V. D. 13.

Shot at Dawn: Plot 8. C. 23. Rifleman J Woodhouse of the 12th King's Royal Rifle Corps, executed for desertion on 04/10/1917.

Shot at Dawn: Private J McQuade, 18th Bn. Highland Light Infantry, executed for desertion on 06/11/1916, plot 8. J. 7.

Private H Flynn, 18th Bn. Highland Light Infantry, executed for desertion on 15/11/1916, plot 8. G. 7.

Shot at Dawn: Private T Hogan, 2nd Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, executed for desertion on 15/05/1917, plot 1. G. 8.

Shot at Dawn: Plot 1. A. 13. Driver B De Fehr, 1st Canadian Reserve Park (Canadian Army Service Corps) executed for murder on 25/08/1916.

Shot at Dawn: Private F. O'Neill of the 1st Bn. Sherwood Foresters, this soldier was executed for desertion on 16/5/1918 for desertion, he is buried in plot 3. G. 6.

Shot at Dawn: Private J Scone, 2nd Bn. Welsh Regiment, executed 10/05/1918 for murder, plot 3. B. 1.

Private A Briggs, 9th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment), executed 19/07/1918 for desertion, plot 3. E. 2.

Shot at Dawn: Private H. Hendricks, 2nd Bn. Leinster Regiment, executed for desertion 23/08/1918, plot 3. C. 1.

Shot at Dawn: Private J. Taylor, 2nd Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment, executed for desertion 06/11/1917, plot 7. A. 11.

Private A. C. Dagesse, 22nd Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion 15/03/1918, plot 8. B. 8.

Shot at Dawn: Lance Corporal W J Irvine, 1st Bn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment, executed for desertion 20/04/1915, plot 3. H. 19.

Private J Kershaw, 1st Bn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment, executed for desertion, 26/04/1915, plot 3. H. 20.

Shot at Dawn: Private C W Knight, 10th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, executed for murder 15/11/1915, plot 3. B. 9.

Shot at Dawn: Private J Chandler, 10th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment, executed for murder 11/08/1919, plot XIX. A. 1, there are also the graves of three men of the Chinese Labour Corps buried in 9. C. all executed for murder.

Shot at Dawn: Private J. J. Dennis, 1st Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment, executed for desertion 30/01/1916, plot 4. E. 16. ©

Shot at Dawn: Private S. H. Cunnington, 2nd Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment, executed for desertion 19/05/1917, plot 1. C. 1.

Shot at Dawn: Lance Sergeant W. Walton, 2nd Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps, executed for desertion 23/03/1915, plot 1. A. 68.

Private I. Reid, 2nd Bn. Scots Guards, executed for desertion 09/04/1915, plot 3. B. 26.

Private J. Cuthbert, 9th Bn. Cheshire Regiment, executed for disobedience 06/05/1916, plot 5. F. 71.

Private E. J. Reynolds, 3rd Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion 23/08/1916, plot 4. A. 39.

Private C. B. Nicholson, 8th Bn. Yorks and Lancs Regiment, executed for desertion 27/10/1917, plot 4. E. 66.

Shot at Dawn: 2. F. 6. Private P. Giles, 14th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers, shot for desertion on 24/08/1918.

Shot at Dawn: Two soldiers executed for desertion are buried here, in Plot 1. D. 17 lies Private H. MacDonald of the 12th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, he was executed on 4/11/1916.

In Plot 1. D. 20 is buried Rifleman F. M. Barratt of the 7th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps, he was executed on 10/7/1917.

Shot at Dawn: Two soldiers both from the 15th Royal Irish Rifles and executed for desertion on 19/03/1916 are buried side by side in C20/21, they are Rifleman J. Templeton and Rifleman J. McCracken.

Shot at Dawn: Private W. Hunter, 1st Bn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, executed for desertion 21/02/1916, plot 1. B. 38.

Private W. Watts, 1st Bn Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, executed for desertion 05/05/1916, plot 1. H. 39.

Private J. Molyneaux, 1st Bn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, executed for desertion 15/06/1916, plot 1. H. 6.

Shot at Dawn: Private J. Swain, 5th Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment, executed for desertion 11/08/1918, row A. 21. (Ext)

Shot at Dawn: (Communal) Private J. Graham, 2nd Royal Munster Fusiliers executed for desertion 21/12/1915 and buried in grave 42.

Private J. Docherty of the 9th Black Watch, he was executed for desertion on 15/02/1916 and is buried in grave 3.

Private J.T. Jones of the 1st Northamptonshire Regiment is buried in grave 104, he was executed on 24/02/1916 for desertion.

Private A. Dale of the 13th Royal Scots, executed on 03/03/1916 for murder and buried in grave 103.

Corporal C. Lewis of the 12th Highland Light Infantry was executed for desertion on 11/03/1916 and is buried in grave 98.

(Extension)

Private A. O'Neil of the 1st South Wales borderers was executed for desertion on 30/04/1916 and is buried in Plot 1.A.12.

In plot 1.B.5. is buried Driver J.W. Hasemore, he was executed on 12/05/1916 for disobedience, he served with the 180th Brigade, Field Artillery.

Private J. Thomas of the 2nd Welsh Regiment was executed for desertion on 20/05/1916 and is buried in plot. 1.D.2.

In plot 1.D.3. is Private W.H. Burrell of the 2nd Royal Sussex Regiment, he was shot for desertion on 22/05/1916.

Rifleman E.A. Card of the 20th Kings Royal Rifle Corps was executed for desertion on 22/09/1916 and is buried in plot 1.D.7.

One Canadian soldier executed for desertion is also buried here, in plot 3.B.12. lies Private C. Welsh of the 8th Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, this man was executed on 06/03/1918.

Shot at Dawn: Private J. Swain, 5th Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment, executed for desertion 11/08/1918, row A. 21. (Ext)

Shot at Dawn: Private W. T. Spry, 2nd Bn. Royal Fusiliers, executed for desertion 14/06/1918, plot 1. G. 19.

Shot at Dawn: Private G. Hanna, 1st Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers, executed for desertion 06/11/1916, row E. 16.

Shot at Dawn:

Private F. Murray, 9th Gordons, attached Royal Engineers, executed for murder 01/10/1916, plot 1. P. 2.

Private A. Hamilton, 14th Bn. Durham Light Infantry, executed for desertion 27/03/1917, plot 1. P. 17.

Private H.E.J Lodge, 19th Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion 13/03/1918, plot 4. B. 5.

Sapper F. Malyon, 12th Company Royal Engineers, attached Royal Field Artillery, executed for desertion 04/04.1917, plot 1. P. 18.

Private L. D. Elford, 7/8th Bn. King's Own Scottish borderers, executed for desertion 11/10/1918, plot 5. A. 19.

Shot at Dawn: Privates J. Jennings and G. Lewis of the 2nd Bn. South Lancashire Regiment, both executed for desertion on 26/06/1916, and buried in plot 1. D. 85/86. respectively.

Shot at Dawn: Private W. Robinson, 1st Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment), executed for desertion 10/04/1917, plot 3. B. 22.

Shot at Dawn: Private E. Worsley, 2nd Bn. Middlesex Regiment, executed for desertion 22/10/1917, plot 1. F. 3.

Shot at Dawn: Private F. Harding, 1st Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps, executed for desertion 29/06/1916, plot 2. A. 6.

Private A. Murphy, 9th Bn. Cameronians, executed for desertion 17/08/1916, plot 2. A. 9.

Private H. H. Kerr, 7th Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion 21/11/1916, plot 3. A. 9.

Private J. M. Higgins, 1st Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion 07/02/1916, plot 1. B. 2.

Shot at Dawn: Trooper A. Butler, Royal Canadian Dragoons, executed for murder 02/07/1916, plot 4. M. 5.

Driver T. G. Hamilton, 72 Battery, 38 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, executed for striking a senior officer 03/10/1916, plot 3. K. 5.

Driver J. Mullany, 72 Battery, 38 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, executed for striking a senior officer, 03/10/1916, plot 3. K. 4.

Private J. Cameron, 1/5th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers, executed for desertion 04/12/1916, plot 2. A. 7.

Shot at Dawn: Rifleman H. Williams, 1/9th Bn. Royal Fusiliers (Queen Victoria's Rifles), executed for desertion 28/12/1917, plot 2. F. 4.

Shot at Dawn: Private E. Bolton, 1st Bn. Cheshire Regiment, executed for desertion 14/04/1916, plot 2. F. 7.

Shot at Dawn: Private J. Bateman, 2nd Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment, executed for desertion 03/12/1917, plot 6. A. 27.

Shot at Dawn: Private E. Jackson, 24th Bn. Royal Fusiliers, executed for desertion 07/11/1918, plot 4. C. 20.

Shot at Dawn: Private O. W. Hodgetts, 1st Bn. Worcestershire Regiment, executed for cowardice 04/06/1915, plot 4. D. 2.

Shot at Dawn: Private H. Carter, 11th Bn. Middlesex Regiment, executed for desertion 26/04/1916, row O. 2.

Shot at Dawn: Riflemen W. Smith and G. A. Irish, 2nd Bn. Rifle Brigade, executed for desertion 03/10/1915, buried in plot 1. E. 87/86 respectively.

Shot at Dawn: Private P. Murphy, 47th Bn. Machine Gun Corps, executed for desertion 12/09/1918, plot 4. E. 5.

Shot at Dawn: Private T. Ward, 8/10th Bn. Gordon Highlanders, executed for desertion 16/10/1917, plot 2. C. 17.

Private N.H Taysum, 9th Bn. The Black Watch, executed for desertion 16/10/1917, plot 2. C. 16.

Private J. S. Adamson, 7th Bn. Cameron Highlanders, executed for cowardice 23/11/1917, plot 2. C. 18.

Private H. Dalande, 8th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders, executed 09/03/1918, plot 2. D. 1.

Shot at Dawn: 3 soldiers, all from the 19th Bn. Durham Light Infantry and all executed on 18/01/1917.

Lance Corporals P. Goggins and J. Macdonald, both executed for quitting their post and Lance Serjeant J. W. Stones was executed for casting away his arms. All three are buried in row D. 1/2/3.

Shot at Dawn: Gunner W E Lewis, 124 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, executed for mutiny 29/10/1916, plot O. 1. M. 8.

Private J Braithwaite, 2nd Bn. Otago Regiment (New Zealand), executed for mutiny 29/10/1916, plot O. 1. K. 10.

Coolie F Y Wan, Chinese Labour Corps, executed 15/02/1919 for murder, plot S. 1. E. 2.

Coolie C M Hei, Chinese Labour Corps, executed for murder 21/02/1920, plot S. 1. F. 1.

Coolie C H K'hung, Chinese Labour Corps, executed 21/02/1920 for murder, plot S. 1. F. 6.

Shot at Dawn: Private E. Beaumont, 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regiment, executed for desertion 24/06/1915, plot 1. G. 1.

Shot at Dawn: Private T. W. Watts, 7th Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment, executed for desertion 30/08/1917, row E. 32.

Private W. Neave, 10th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment, executed for desertion 30/08/1917, row E. 33.

Private C. H. Kirman, 7th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment, executed for desertion 23/09/1917, row F. 1.

Shot at Dawn: Lance Serjeant A. Wickings, 9th Bn. Rifle Brigade, executed for murder 07/03/1918, Division 62/1/K3. Gunner F. O. Wills, 50th Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Field Artillery, executed for murder27/05/1919, Division 64/6/E5.

Shot at Dawn: Rifleman J. Crozier, 9th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles, executed for desertion 27/02/1916, plot 1. A. 5.

Shot at Dawn: Private F. Wright, 1st Bn. Royal West Surrey Regiment, executed for desertion28/01/1917, plot 1. C. 7.

Private B. A. Hart, 1/7th Bn. Suffolk Regiment executed 06/02/1917 for desertion, plot 1. C. 10.

Private F. Stead, 2nd Bn. Duke of Wellington's Regiment, executed for desertion 12/02/1917, plot 2. C. 1.

Shot at Dawn: Second Lieutenant J. H. Patterson, 3rd Bn. Essex Regiment, attached 1st Bn. Executed for murder 24/09/1918, plot 4. B. 48.

Shot at Dawn: Corporal G. W. Latham, 2nd Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers, executed for desertion 22/01/1915, plot 2. F. 17.

Private F. Auger, 14th Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion 26/03/1916, plot 3. H. 5.

Private P. Black, 1/4th Bn. The Black Watch, executed for desertion 18/09/1916, plot 1. B. 1.

Private J. King, 1st Bn. Canterbury Regiment (New Zealand), executed for desertion 19/08/1917, plot 1. Z. 23.

Shot at Dawn: Private H. Crimmins and Private A. Wild both of the 18th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment, executed for desertion 05/09/1916 and buried in plot 5. F. 9/6 respectively.

Private J. A. Haddock, 12th Bn. Yorks & Lancs Regiment, executed for desertion 16/09/1916, plot 6. F. 5.

Shot at Dawn: Private H. G. Carter, 73rd Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion 20/04/1917, plot 10. A. 7.

Private E. Fairburn, 18th Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion 02/03/1918, plot 11. B. 23.

Private S. Fowles, 44th Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion 19/06/1918, plot 13. B.1.

Private F. Bateman, 1/4th Yorks & Lancs Regiment, executed for desertion 10/09/1918, plot 12. C. 4.

Shot at Dawn: Private J. Ferguson, 1st Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers, attached Royal Engineers, executed for desertion 20/04/1917, plot 1. C. 13

Shot at Dawn: Lance Corporal F. Hawthorne, 1/5th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment, executed for Cowardice 11/08/1916, plot 12. C. 8.

Private W. J. Earl, 1/7th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers, executed for desertion 27/05/1918, plot 12. B. 10.

Private T. Brigham, 1/10th Bn. Manchester Regiment, executed for desertion 04/06/1918, plot 11. C. 15.

Shot at Dawn: Lance Corporal G. E. Hughes, 7th Bn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment, executed for desertion, 23/11/1916, plot 6. D. 18.

Shot at Dawn: Private A. Davids, 1st cape Coloured Labour Regiment, executed for murder 26/08/1919, row A. 15.

Private W. P. Harris, 1st Cape Coloured Labour Regiment, executed for murder, 26/08/1919, row A. 14.

Private F. Boos, 1st Cape Coloured Labour Regiment, executed for murder, 15/10/1919, row A. 16.

Turkey :

16734 Private H Salter, 6th Bn. East Lancashire Regiment, executed for desertion 11/12/1915. Plot 1. G. 26

9610 Serjeant J Robins, 5th Bn. Wiltshire Regiment, executed 02/01/1916 for disobedience. Sp. Mem. C. 259

LF.

[auchonvillerssomme]

A difficult subject to discuss on this forum as previous events, the banning of the subject for instance, shows.

An excellent publication that I would urge anyone with an interest to purchase is:

Death Sentences Passed by Military Courts of the British Army 1914 - 1924, Gerard Oram.

There were 3077 death sentences passed (3342 including civilians and others) and 343 executions (438 including civilians and others).

Personally I don't think we can judge or change history from nearly a hundred years down the line, it happened, and they weren't all very young innocents, tried by an unfair system with no legal support.

[GRANVILLE]

How many are on the above list? The National Memorial Arbouretum has 306 memorials to those Shot at Dawn, as far as I recall, which tends to suggest the full tally has still not been definitively recognized?

Dave Upton

[roughdiamond]

Only £18 from the NA's http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/bookshop/details.aspx?titleId=1088

[roughdiamond]

How many are on the above list? The National Memorial Arbouretum has 306 memorials to those Shot at Dawn, as far as I recall, which tends to suggest the full tally has still not been definitively recognized?

Dave Upton

That 306 doesn't include those IRA members shot for their part in the Easter rising etc but they are listed in the Oram book.

Sam

[corisande]

The trick here would be for Lancashire Fusilier to compare their list with Oram's list to see if Oram missed any.

No list is ever definitive, and it is always worthwhile amending existing sources

[Tom A McCluskey]

Hi,

The National Arboretum only remembers those that were awarded a pardon by the then Defence Secretary: Des Browne, and the Government:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1526437/Pardoned-the-306-soldiers-shot-at-dawn-for-cowardice.html

Quite a good book on the subject is 'Blindfold and Alone' by Cathryn Corns and John Hughes-Wilson – in my opinion, as balanced as you can get considering this subject tends to draw extremes of opinion.

Aye,

Tom McC

[Alan Tucker]

The first post is very simplistic. There are 306 documented British examples not 'hundreds and hundreds'. We do not need such a long list as they are all listed on pages 484-503 of Corns and Hughes-Wilson - name rank regiment Date of execution NA file reference Place of Burial

Their list includes Empire forces as well.

The vast majority were sentenced for desertion...

Amongst the others are....

2 casting away arms

18 cowardice

5 disobedience

35 murder

4 mutiny

7 quitting post

2 sleeping at post

4 striking a senior officer

1 violence

All were sentenced under military law. We might be surprised by 'striking a superior officer' but one of these was Pte J Fox who had previously committed three 'crimes' against military law in the UK and eight in France. One of the latter led to a sentence of 18 months with hard labour; he served 8 1/2 and had the rest suspended.

[John_Hartley]

The National Memorial Arbouretum has 306 memorials to those Shot at Dawn, as far as I recall, which tends to suggest the full tally has still not been definitively recognized?

In addition to the 306, there are those executed for "non military" crimes.

It always struck me as odd that those who campaigned for pardons for those executed for "military" crimes, claiming the judicial process was unfair, did not campaign for pardons for those who also went through the same process. But then I realised that, when you're campaigning on such an issue, logic does not come into it and it's hard to garner support for rapists and murderers. Much better to stick to highlighting the few obvious miscarriages of justice and, by inference, make the case that all were miscarriages. Of course, as we know, when the pardons came they were of a very limited nature and, specifically, the guilt of the individuals, the trial process, and the sentences were all upheld.

[Tom Morgan]

Just for the sake of accuracy and to avoid visitors and forum members being misled by inaccurate information - the original poster refers to a site which lists "probably every British Military Cemetery in Belgium, France and Turkey" and notes that a breakdown of "Shot at Dawn" burial statistics indicates that "each Military Cemetery had them, and some had many."

The facts don't bear out these statements. The vast majority of Great War cemeteries in France and Belgium don't contain any "Shot at Dawn" graves. I believe there are 28 cemeteries in Belgium which contain SAD burials, out of 372 Great War cemeteries in the country, and in France there are 100 cemeteries which have SAD burials out of 1,620 Great War cemeteries. I don't have the corresponding figures for Turkey.

I think the original poster may have been looking at a website which lists only the "SAD Cemeteries" which would explain why every cemetery in the list had one or more.

Tom

[truthergw]

I shudder to think of the length of post when the OP finds out about the first day on the Somme. Can we have the thousands and thousands of casualties in bitesize portions please?

[Roger H]

I shudder to think of the length of post when the OP finds out about the first day on the Somme. Can we have the thousands and thousands of casualties in bitesize portions please?

A point very well made

Roger

[George Armstrong Custer]

For some reason, I have always thought that " Shot at Dawn " British Military Executions carried our during WW1 were rare.

They were rare. On the Western Front, during his period as C-inC between December 1915 and April 1919, Haig went on to command armies numbering some two million men. In that period he commuted over 90% of death sentences passed by military courts martial. He personally confirmed the death sentences on 258 men in total. Let me underline that - that's 258 men out of a command of some two millions. Your talk of 'hundreds and hundreds' of SAD's, combined with your assertion that 'each Military Cemetery had them' in France, Belgium and Turkey, is absolutely ludicrous. As Tom has pointed out, compare the verified lists of SAD's with the casualty lists of men who did their duty and then come back and tell us how ubiquitous SAD's were.

George

Edited 30 January , 2012 by Alan Curragh
Some comments removed

[IanA]

"Each military cemetery had them" - really?

I shudder to think of provoking another mammoth list but why do you give plot, row and grave number without giving the cemetery name?

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Of the Military Cemeteries listed, and there were numerous listings in France, Belgium and Turkey, all those I looked at actually contained names as listed " Shot at Dawn ". Not having ever seen any statistics before, I was surprised when the list grew. I know that in the context of all the men serving, the actual percentage is very low. You seem to take the list as some kind of slur, which clearly it is not. The list is factual, based on the grave information given, I did not make the list, I just extracted the information.

If you wish to challenge any of the names on the list, please let me know, and I shall gladly refer you to the cemetery who provided the information, and you can then take it up with them directly.

I do not know how many times you have posted information, and because nobody is perfect, I assume that from time to time you have also probably made statements based on what you may have thought was correct, only to find out from someone else that the information was not as you first thought. I think it is called education, and part of being a member of this Forum is to educate oneself on matters related to The Great War. I make no excuses for any of my posts, which were made in good faith, as was this one.

Another feature of a Forum is to promote discussion, and your replying seems to show that this Forum is working properly.

Regards,

LF

Edited 30 January , 2012 by Alan Curragh
Some comments removed

[keithmroberts]

Can we please all keep posts in proportion as well as the numbers.

Keith

[TonyE]

I'm staying out of this!

Cheers

TonyE

[truthergw]

LF, I suggest you have a good look at the ' mother page ', The Long Long Trail. Linked at the top of the page. That might save you the embarrassment of 'discovering' and rushing to inform the forum of facts which are well known and extensively discussed over several years.

I'm staying out of this!

Cheers

TonyE

Wimp.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The very idea that your initial post here clearly thinks it's breaking new ground in such a well ploughed furrow speaks volumes about how much you bother to read existing material on this forum before posting your own 'revelations'.

George

You are incorrect, prior to posting the list, I did enter " Shot at Dawn " in the search box, and could not see where such a list had been posted previously on this Forum, had I seen the list, I would not have bothered.

Perhaps, you can point me to the post where this same list had been published before, and I shall gladly remove my post.

LF

[Lancashire Fusilier]

LF, I suggest you have a good look at the ' mother page ', The Long Long Trail. Linked at the top of the page. That might save you the embarrassment of 'discovering' and rushing to inform the forum of facts which are well known and extensively discussed over several years.

Wimp.

Having been a member of the Forum for just a short time, I am not familar with the " Mother Page " and the " Long Trial ", perhaps you members of long standing will be a little more patient with beginners like myself, still learning the ropes.

As I said to member George, please show me the post where the list was posted previously, and I shall gladly remove my post and list.

Regards,

LF

[gilbo139]

LF. I have sympathy with you.. I also am new to the forum but have read a terrific amount about The First World War and made quite a few visits to France and Flanders but the one thing I have picked up is that no one knows everything. Yes perhaps your post was not necessary but like me you want to learn... cheers Colin

Edited 30 January , 2012 by Alan Curragh
Some comment removed

[Kate Wills]

You are incorrect, prior to posting the list, I did enter " Shot at Dawn " in the search box ...

Having been a member of the Forum for just a short time...perhaps you members of long standing will be a little more patient with beginners like myself, still learning the ropes.

As I said to member George, please show me the post where the list was posted previously, and I shall gladly remove my post and list.

Regards,

LF

LF

I know our search engine is hardly fit for purpose, but when I entered 'shot at dawn' into the search box, it returned 296 results. Did you get similar results?

[Lancashire Fusilier]

LF

I know our search engine is hardly fit for purpose, but when I entered 'shot at dawn' into the search box, it returned 296 results. Did you get similar results?

Kate,

Thank you for your question.

No, not as it related to a detailed list with names, dates, offences and Regiments, had I found such a list I would not have spent many, many hours extracting the information.

As is it, I am pleased I did the work. I think it was a very worthwhile undertaking, both for my personal files, and also for the members who have thanked me for posting it.

Regards,

LF

[Kate Wills]

Could you not have simply posted the link?

[John_Hartley]

I'd be grateful if the moderators could give some guidance here. I believe they have "tidied up" the thread, deleting a number of posts, presumably because of their perceived tone. The guidance I seek is what are we now to make of the re-opened thread. May we continue to challenge and discuss some of the comments made by the OP? Is re-opening the thread an invitation to again discuss military executions?

May I also ask the OP for the link to the website mentioned in post #1? It is always more interesting to see original data - not least as, with sensitive subjects, one can see who is writing it.