Desserters in WW1

[SueinKent]

If a solider deserted in WW1 were they always shot upon capture?

[Just Barbara]

I believe so Sue.

[SueinKent]

Oh dear this is a 17 year old boy. On joining up he told the army he was 19. How sad.

[Just Barbara]

Oh dear me, not a relative I hope. have you come across the shot at dawn campaign?

[WendyPusey]

Here's a list of cemeteries with men who where "shot at dawn" if you'r interested.

World War One Cemeteries, Shot at Dawn cemetery list

[SueinKent]

Oh dear me, not a relative I hope. have you come across the shot at dawn campaign?

Yes he is a relative Barbara. He's the son of my great uncle.

[SueinKent]

Here's a list of cemeteries with men who where "shot at dawn" if you'r interested.

World War One Cemeteries, Shot at Dawn cemetery list

Thanks for that Wendy I will take a look.

[Just Barbara]

I am sorry Sue, I think you would find the "Shot at Dawn" campaign of some interest

[Mary from Italy]

I have a number of Australian servicemen who went AWOL for various periods, and they weren't shot, but I believe the British were a lot tougher.

[SueinKent]

I am sorry Sue, I think you would find the "Shot at Dawn" campaign of some interest

Thanks for that Barbara I will read up on that after dinner.

How terrible that sounds when I have just found out a 17 year old was shot for basically being scared.

[KiteRunner]

No, lots of deserters went back into the army later. My great-uncle is listed as a deserter and then later was on active service and did even get all his medals eventually. And I've looked at lots of WW1 service records where someone is marked as a deserter and then went back. I don't know exactly what the circumstances would be for someone to be shot for deserting or what percentage were.

[Mary from Italy]

List of names of the men who were shot for desertion/cowardice in WW1:

http://www.janpieterchielens.be/shotatdawn/page59.html

[SueinKent]

List of names of the men who were shot for desertion/cowardice in WW1:

Mackinlay List

I've just had a look at that page Mary and he is not listed on there. I see there is a footnote that + denotes repeat offenders. So maybe he wasn't shot.

[Just Barbara]

Oh I do hope he wasn't...........

[Just Barbara]

I have another list, if you want me to double check just pm his name...

[Just Barbara]

Found some info, of the men court martialed for desertion 3000 were sentenced to death and 10% were actually executed.

[Olde Crone Holden]

Deserting on the battlefield usually resulted in death.

Going AWOL didn't always.

OC

[SueinKent]

Deserting on the battlefield usually resulted in death.

Going AWOL didn't always.

OC

Oh dear the poor lad was only 17.

[Olde Crone Holden]

Sue

I'm sure I read somewhere that soldiers under the age of 18 weren't shot, but this may not be correct.

Deserting in the face of the enemy, or refusing to obey an order to fire, usually resulted in execution because they were offences of commission, rather than just crawling out of the camp under cover of night and making for home.

Yes, a disgusting episode in our history.

OC

[SueinKent]

I do hope thats the case OC.