National Troops Execute War Victims at Dawn
In a poignant annual ceremony, Manchester commemorated the lives of thirteen soldiers from the First World War who faced execution. These men were shot at dawn for crimes such as desertion and cowardice, actions now understood to stem from severe mental health issues exacerbated by the horrors of warfare.
Remembering the Fallen: The Shot at Dawn Ceremony
The twelfth annual ‘Shot at Dawn’ ceremony took place at the Regimental Chapel in Manchester Cathedral. Civic leaders from Greater Manchester gathered to honor the sacrifice of these men. Each soldier’s execution reflected a grim reality of military justice during a time of unimaginable trauma.
The Forgotten Soldiers
Though their names are not inscribed on traditional war memorials, their stories are vital. The chapel houses seven books of remembrance that honor a total of 14,808 soldiers from the Manchester Regiment. Each year, volunteers participate in a service to turn the pages of these books to pay tribute to the fallen.
- Private William Wycherley: Executed for desertion in September 1917, aged 24.
- Private James Smith: Executed on September 5, 1917, aged 26 after seeing combat in Ypres.
- Private Thomas Foulkes: Shot for desertion in November 1917, at just 21 years old.
- Private Ellis Holt: Executed for desertion in March 1917, aged 22.
- Private Albert Ingham: Shot for desertion in December 1916, found in civilian clothes.
- Kingsman Joseph Brennan: Executed in July 1916 for desertion.
- Kingsman James Anderson: Shot for cowardice, exhibiting clear signs of shell shock.
- Kingsman Bernard McGeehan: Executed on November 2, 1916, having said, “I did not know what I was doing.”
Recognition and Pardon
In 2006, the British Government posthumously pardoned 306 soldiers executed during the war, acknowledging their actions were symptoms of mental health struggles, not cowardice. This understanding has led to ongoing efforts to erase the stigma surrounding these soldiers’ deaths.
The Lord Mayor of Manchester expressed the necessity of honoring these men, reaffirming their unjust treatment during wartime. The ceremony, marked by solemnity, serves to keep their memories alive and foster a sense of acknowledgment for their sacrifices.
The Impact of War on Mental Health
The stigma associated with these executions has affected families for generations. The remembrance service aims to right the wrongs of the past by recognizing these individuals as victims of war rather than as cowards. Their stories shed light on the profound impact of warfare on mental health.
