Published: 17 August 2006
Intention to pardon executed World War I soldiers
Defence Secretary Des Browne has announced that the Government will seek Parliamentary approval to pardon more than 300 soldiers executed for military offences including cowardice and desertion during WWI.
It is the Government's intention, after consultation with the Governments of the other countries concerned, that the Statutory pardon will cover the whole group of those executed during WWI under the Army Act 1881 and the Indian Army Act 1911.
The Statutory Pardon will cover what may be considered as 'battlefield' offences - such as cowardice and desertion - where men's actions may have been influenced by the stress of battle.
In addition to the United Kingdom the other countries involved are the Governments of Canada, New Zealand, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Jamaica, Nigeria, Egypt and Ireland, as well as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar (Burma) and Afghanistan.
The Armed Forces Bill will provide an early opportunity to introduce this legislation and this amendment to the Bill will be debated in the Autumn.
The Armed Forces Bill is intended to provide a single, modern system of law for all three Armed Forces to replace the three separate systems they have at present.
Des Browne said:
"Although this is a historical matter, I am conscious of how the families of these men feel today.
They have had to endure a stigma for decades.
That makes this a moral issue too, and having reviewed it, I believe it is appropriate to seek a statutory pardon. I hope we can take the earliest opportunity to achieve this by introducing a suitable amendment to the current Armed Forces Bill.
I believe a group pardon, approved by Parliament, is the best way to deal with this. After 90 years, the evidence just doesn't exist to assess all the cases individually.
I do not want to second guess the decisions made by commanders in the field, who were doing their best to apply the rules and standards of the time.
But the circumstances were terrible, and I believe it is better to acknowledge that injustices were clearly done in some cases, even if we cannot say which - and to acknowledge that all these men were victims of war."
If approved by Parliament this pardon would include Private Harry Farr, whose family has appealed to the Defence Secretary for a review of his case.
The MOD has informed the family's lawyers of this proposed change in approach.
Further information
Armed Forces Bill (click on ‘A’ and scroll down)
Centre for First World War Studies
WW1 executions
BBC Schools online
Shot at Dawn (SAD) Campaign
Related article: Armed forces Bill Progress
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