Nearly 90 years after their deaths, 306 of the 345 soldiers who were executed for military offences during World War I were granted posthumous pardons from the British Ministry of Defence. These soldiers were executed during hostilities for breaches of military discipline that included desertion, cowardice, quitting their posts, striking a Senior Officer, sleeping at their post, and casting away their arms.
The remaining group of 40 soldiers were not granted a pardon, because of the nature of their crimes, which included murder and mutiny.
Many of the men executed for cowardice or desertion were suffering from "Shell Shock" after enduring months of military combat and horrors during WWI. The British Defence Secretary, Des Browne, said these men were "as much victims of World War One as those who died in the battlefield." The group pardon recognizes that "the men were not cowards or deserters and should not have been executed for military offences". This group of soldiers have since been reclassified as "Victims of War."
Of the 345 men, 344 of them were executed by Commonwealth firing squads, 333 of which were executed between 28 July 1914 and 11 November 1918. One soldier during that time was sentenced to death by hanging.
After hostilities had officially ended in November 1918, a further 12 men were executed, 11 for murder and 1 for mutiny. Of the 12, there were 5 Chinese labourers, 2 South African labourers, 1 British West Indies soldier, 2 Irish soldiers and 2 British soldiers.
The remaining group of 40 soldiers were not granted a pardon, because of the nature of their crimes, which included murder and mutiny.
Many of the men executed for cowardice or desertion were suffering from "Shell Shock" after enduring months of military combat and horrors during WWI. The British Defence Secretary, Des Browne, said these men were "as much victims of World War One as those who died in the battlefield." The group pardon recognizes that "the men were not cowards or deserters and should not have been executed for military offences". This group of soldiers have since been reclassified as "Victims of War."
Of the 345 men, 344 of them were executed by Commonwealth firing squads, 333 of which were executed between 28 July 1914 and 11 November 1918. One soldier during that time was sentenced to death by hanging.
After hostilities had officially ended in November 1918, a further 12 men were executed, 11 for murder and 1 for mutiny. Of the 12, there were 5 Chinese labourers, 2 South African labourers, 1 British West Indies soldier, 2 Irish soldiers and 2 British soldiers.
Total number of pardoned soldiers from each country
United Kingdom 256
Canada 23
Ireland 22
New Zealand 5
Australia, to its credit, was the only country within the British Empire that would not allow its soldiers, all of whom were volunteers, to be executed. None of the 129 Australians that were sentenced to death during the War were executed, although it is known that three Australians, one who was serving with the South African army, and two serving with the New Zealand army were executed.
United Kingdom 256
Canada 23
Ireland 22
New Zealand 5
Australia, to its credit, was the only country within the British Empire that would not allow its soldiers, all of whom were volunteers, to be executed. None of the 129 Australians that were sentenced to death during the War were executed, although it is known that three Australians, one who was serving with the South African army, and two serving with the New Zealand army were executed.
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