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National Arboretum, England - Shot at Dawn Monument - THOSE EXECUTED FOR WHAT WAS THEN CONSIDERED AN OFFENCE PUNISHABLE BY DEATH ❤️❤️ALL HAVE SINCE BEEN PARDONED❤️❤️SEE SOLDIERS LETTER TO HIS MOTHER ON ANOTHER PHOTO❤️❤️

The rifles are aimed at the medal worn around the victims neck - the poles behind the statue represent the names, and ages of those executed - during WW1 306 British and Commonwealth soldiers were shot for desertion, cowardice, striking a senior officer, disobeying a lawful command, casting away arms, and sleeping on post.

It is now recognised that several were under age when they volunteered and many were suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, which was not recognised as a medical condition until 1980.

The six trees facing the memorial represent where the firing squad

stood.

 

A LOT OF THE POLES WHICH STATE THE NAMES OF THOSE EXECUTED SAY AGE UNKNOWN WHICH POSSIBLY INDICATES THAT THEY WERE VERY YOUNG

 

In 2006 a posthumous pardon was granted for the men....❤️

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Uploaded on July 22, 2017
Taken on July 21, 2017