Recent Additions    & Updates Contact author Revealed: an unknown soldier of Ypres Old Allies honoured on Remembrance Day Great War veterans lead Cenotaph march past The youngest casualty Unveiling of plaque to Capt Bruce Bairnsfather Limited edition Bruce Bairnsfather postcard issued First-hand stories by surviving US veterans Story with a happy ending... News Clips 2001-3 Survivor of first world war dies at 108 Evening whispers on the Somme (poem) Scotland's oldest man turns 107 The Soldier's Sweetheart New Writing by new writers Memorial Gates Trust Search the site Private William McBride Buried far from the battlefield Private Sydney Bone Unusual or intriguing war memorials The Accrington Pals Amazon Bookstore Site Information Contents FAQ Contact Author   Resources Index of Poems Newsclips 2001 Further Reading Notes & Queries Can you help Useful links original content © 2002

from The Guardian Friday 22 June 2001

Last post - Memorial to soldiers shot as cowards

A memorial to the 306 British and commonwealth soldiers shot for desertion or cowardice in the first world war was unveiled yesterday. writes John Ezard.

The 10ft statue is modelled on Private Herbert Burden (pictured below), who lied about his age to join the Northumberland Fusiliers at the age of 16.

The memorial, by Birmingham artist Andy de Comyn, was unveiled by Gertie Harris, 85, the daughter of Private Harry Farr of the West Yorkshire Regiment, who was shot in 1916.

It stands in an amphitheatre of wooden stakes, like execution posts,each bearing the name of an executed soldier, at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Alrewas, near Ljchfield, Staffordshire. Private Burden panicked at the battle of Ypres and was shot for desertion.

Back to News Clips Contents