Pardons for WW1 Soldiers

Hello Everyone,

I just read this amazing story and I thought I should post it in here for all to read.

Karmen.

Pardon expected to be sought for Canadian WWI soldiers
Last Updated Wed, 16 Aug 2006 01:00:49 EDT
CBC News
The British government is expected to announce Wednesday that it will seek a group pardon for over 300 First World War soldiers executed for offences such as cowardice and desertion, a list that includes 23 Canadian soldiers.

Defence secretary Des Browne is expected to announce the posthumous pardon of 306 soldiers on moral grounds, the Guardian reported.

The soldiers were shot for cowardice or desertion, many after court martial hearings that lasted just minutes.

Descendants of the soldiers and advocates for the pardon have long argued that many were clearly suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

The families of the executed soldiers received no military pensions, in addition to the stigma they suffered.

The pardons will need approval from Britain's parliament.

CBC has obtained documents related to the pardon, including a list of the Canadian soldiers. In 2001, Canada added the 23 names to the Book of Remembrance in Ottawa:

Sgt. W. Alexander
Pte. C. Laliberte
L/Bdr. F.S. Arnold
Pte. W.N. Ling
Pte. F. Auger
Pte. H.E.J. Lodge
Pte. H.G. Carter
Pte. T.L. Moles
Pte. G. Comte
Pte. E. Perry
Pte. A.C. Dagesse
Pte. E.J. Reynolds
Pte. L. Delisle
Pte. C. Welsh
Pte. E. Fairburn
Pte. J.H. Wilson
Pte. S. McD. Fowles
Pte. E. Young
Pte. J.M. Higgins
Pte. J.W. Roberts
Pte. H.H. Kerr
Pte. D. Sinizki
Pte. J. Lalancette