The 306 Shot at Dawn.

During WWI, 306 soldiers of the British and Commonwealth Army were shot at dawn by firing squad for desertion or cowardice. Not until some 90 years later did they receive posthumous pardons from the British Government. On Parade accompanied the British West India Heritage Trust to Belgium to visit the WWI condemned cells at the Poperighe Town Hall. These are some of their stories.
This film is not monetized. On Parade is a non-commercial KZbin channel dedicated to educational purposes, emphasizing its authenticity and commitment to academic content.
Cameras:
Neil Davies, Colin Gotts, Jo Johnson & Dean Helliwell.
Reporter:
Shaun 'Johno' Johnson
Editor:
Shaun 'Johno' Johnson
Music:
1. Awaken: Credit Onoychenko Music
Licensor's Username:
pixabay.com/music/main-title-...
pixabay.com/users/onoychenkom...
2. By Order of the King: Kelly, M. F. (Michael F.), ca. 1882-1916
3. 306 Shot at Dawn: Mike Allen, Udio.Com.
Character Voice Overs:
Aby Bevistein: Shaun Johnson
General Horace Smith-Dorrien: Shaun Johnson
Officer Defending Herbert Morris: Shaun Johnson
Herbert Morris: Paul Chalmers (Former Captain Jamaica Defence Force).
Photos:
Opening Photo Aerial National Memorial Arboretum: Wikipedia Creative Commons
Herbert Burden: Wikipedia Creative Commons
Poperinge Square: Wikipedia & postcard images
Senior Officers: Wikipedia Public Domain
Gen Horace Smith-Dorrien: Wikipedia
Abraham Bevistein: Unknown author
Empire Posters: Wikipedia
Imperial War Museum Images
Rest Camp Belgium: Thanks to the Welcome Collection for the use of this image under Creative Commons CC
Earl Haig: Pubic Domain
London Victory March: Public Domain
War Widow Begging: Wikipedia Creative Commons
Film Footage: WWI Parade London.
National Archives. catalog.archives.gov/id/24753
Mental Health Support:
Veterans UK
www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed...
Veterans USA
www.mentalhealth.va.gov/get-h...
Civilians UK
www.samaritans.org/
Civilians USA
www.samaritansusa.org/
On Parade UK website
www.onparade.org.uk/

[@richardtempleton8840]

My Father instigated the shot at dawn which eventually lead to the pardon and pension payments to the grandchildren. I'm so proud of him for his tenacity and many hours of work.

[@OnParadeUK]

Wow! That's incredible. It would be great to learn more about it too.

[@themessenger5868]

Your Father's a true hero. God Bless.

[@astone2893]

The thoroughly dishonorable John Major showing yet again that he is a disgrace to this country. RIP all those young men who did their very best to serve this country.

[@ralphhindle]

A deeply moving tribute! As a 20 year NZ Army vet I salute those poor boys. RIP

[@elsalaporga4590]

Deeply moving tribute indeed🙏

[@bulletsalad6914]

May they Rest in Peace Soldiers, None of us where there we don't know the hell they went through or the situation at hand.

[@annsmith8000]

Bless them all and may they never be forgotten.❤️

[@stevenboyer9339]

I just showed my students the short film "Coward" in class today. I'm glad that the algorithm brought me to this video. I just sent the link to them!

[@OnParadeUK]

Thank you for sharing the film with your students. It does mean a lot to us because we made the film for educational purposes so others could understand what happened during the Great War. Peace and love!

[@jonathanleach3914]

thank you for making this film. Hugely powerful and through a modern lens, shameful. Rest in Peace.

[@davidwyatt1088]

Thank god australia disallowed the death penalty after breaker Moran saga

[@anthonyeaton5153]

Monash wanted the death penalty for Aussies like many other generals.

[@eoindelaney3549]

Haig was a Grub. What a way to treat your own men. Absolutely Barbaric.

[@robertstallard7836]

During the Great War, there were approximately 238,000 courts martial for all offences, of which 3,080 resulted in death sentences. Of those 3,080, 332 were actually carried out, the rest (90% of them) being reduced to other sentences by the C-in-C (for most of the war, Haig). 23 of the sentences carried out were for murder (which would have attracted the death penalty in civil life as well), and only 18 were shot for cowardice.

[@anthonyeaton5153]

@@robertstallard7836Well said but I think that 37 were shot for murder.

[@allandavis8201]

If I had been a soldier in WWI I’m not sure if I could have been able to withstand the conditions those brave men endured, nobody can say how they would react to the constant shelling, being ordered over the top to almost certain death, the potential for being gassed, the terrible conditions in the trenches and the lack of compassion from the senior officers for their men, not the junior officers suffering alongside their men but the senior officers sending tens of thousands of men to their deaths on a regular basis whilst they sat in their HQs eating heartily, drinking brandy, smoking cigars and sleeping in a warm dry bed. Anyone who says that they could have withstood the conditions either doesn’t really know what they were like or they are a liar.

[@theculturedthug6609]

Many did withstand the conditions and got on with it, that's all you could do.

[@allandavis8201]

@@theculturedthug6609 I totally agree, that was all they could do, but unfortunately some tried and failed to withstand those conditions, I’m sure that the vast majority did put up with everything thrown at them, and complained bitterly about it, but not in front of the NCOs or officers, after all if a soldier, or any servicemen or servicewomen, has something to grumble about they are actually not worrying about other issues, but my sympathy is for those that couldn’t withstand it all and even knowing the consequences couldn’t resist the “fight or flight” urge and chose flight, not everyone was cut out for military service. Thanks for your reply, very much appreciated.

[@Katmando376]

When I attended Army Selection Centre in 1975, The Officer was telling us "We have all types of trades even Nurses to look after The Nutters!" How little understanding they had for Soldiers suffering from PTSD.

[@MorgansWorld760]

Great footage; and am glad mental illness is better understood. We will remember them!

[@OnParadeUK]

thanks for watching buddy we’re enjoying your films too 👍

[@CalumHardie]

Visited Poperinge Death Cell June this year while touring the WW1 battlefield museums. I had to leave that cell almost immediately reading the etchings as I felt shame for what happened to these young lads. Just awful but glad I went. To say the scales fell from my eyes about Haig. He is not to be celebrated, for this. Excellent video.

[@annsmith8000]

Men were expected to be ready for that first industrialised war that spat all out like they were worthless including their dependents. Thank goodness for the men and women that fought for the recognition of those men to give them their recognition as ordinary simple folk many came from poor backgrounds under fed badly housed often even their drinking water was often compromised. I thank them all 🙁❤️❤️❤️

[@Jason-ke2nj]

The uk military is an awful organisation. Ive seen too many old soldiers been abandoned by uk..

[@chrisholland7367]

During ww1 it certainly was. Nearly all of the death warrants were signed by Sir Douglas Haig .

[@ijm1963]

@@chrisholland7367 Courts Sentenced them. Haig pardoned over 90% of other ranks, over 30% of NCOs and no officers. Those shot included murderers and repeat offenders. With some there is an argument for them having a mental illness for others there is not. In civilian life you would be hung for murder. When Haig made a decision on a Court Marshal he had to work within military law. It’s no good applying limited knowledge and modern morales to this.

[@chrisholland7367]

@ijm1963 How many British or commonwealth soldiers faced capital punishment during ww2. I'm aware that during war rules are different, and the conduct of soldiers on active duty brings with it strict, discipline, and rules to abide by. If these 306 British and commwealth troops who were sentenced to death why did the British government finally pardon them all. We are talking about a conflict with catastrophic consequences about millions of men faced with new killing technology, but with tatics and military doctrine from a bygone age.

[@ijm1963]

@@chrisholland7367 In between the wars military law was changed and many of those offences for which the death penalty could be given were changed. Murder could still lead to a death penalty, but where civilians were involved, civilian courts were used. One of the best authors on this is Richard Holmes. As for doctrine and tactics these constantly evolved through the war and Haig was a keen advocate of new technology. The changes the British army went through under Haig command were phenomenal.

[@markturner6755]

Unless you have served I think your opinion doesn’t matter much. In fact many organisations come to the British Military for Leadership and Management advice and training. If anyone has abandoned old soldiers it is the government and the people. The Military supports service personnel during service and includes a very good resettlement package and funding for training to allow a better transition back to civilian life. Not to mention an immediate pension for many depending on length of Service. There is many great charities out there and Regimental Associations that provide comradeship and financial assistance so definitely not abandoned by the Military.

[@patrickclune3600]

The country you’re defending turns out to be your own worst enemy. Big deal your charges are dropped 90yrs or whatever later. This is absolutely disgusting. I wonder if the high and mighty, haughty Generals and those who condemned them were in the trenches along with them ? I very much doubt it, they didn’t want to get shined up boots dirty.

[@tango6nf477]

78 British Generals Were killed in action in WW1

[@mtdgunner2696]

Government screwing squaddies over...well presented muckka.

[@tango6nf477]

You cannot judge yesterdays actions like this using todays attitudes and standards, yes execution was and awful and unnecessary action in our eyes but not back then.

[@marklivingstone3710]

Always liked Breaker Morants comment to the Padre just before he and Hancock were shot during the Boer War. Asked if he had anything to say he responded Matthew 10:36. A man’s enemies shall be those of his own household. One of the more ‘interesting’ cases I’ve read about involved a desertion by a Sergeant and Private. They were arrested 3 weeks later 30 miles behind the lines in civilian clothing. They were court martialed, the Private was given a reprimand, fine and extra duties. The Sergeant was shot. The justification was, the Sergeant had a higher duty to stop the Private from deserting and as a SNCO should have known better.

[@tombrydson781]

I visited this yard a few years ago

[@000pu000]

You are potential cannon fodder as soon as you join up.

[@anthonyeaton5153]

What an insight to war. How long did it take you to work that one out.

[@thehowlingmisogynist9871]

Horace Smith-Dorrien survived the Battle of Isandlwana in 1879 against the Zulu!

[@daisyboyden3398]

Such a powerful film, rest in peace

[@henrikfrederiksen694]

Lest we forget

[@donpark759]

There can be no doubt that mistakes were made, and those suffering shell shock were executed wrongly, and deserve a pardon. But what of those who were just plain cowards? I spent 17 years in the army, including the Falklands, and at times when on operations, when bullets are flying everywhere, or bombs / shells raining down on our position, I was almost crapping myself in fear, just like everyone else, but I did my duty. I didn't run away. When so many died heroically during countless wars, what gives anyone the right to run away just because he is frightened? All cases should have been revisited, and genuine cases pardoned, but a blanket pardon for cowards is not appropriate in my opinion.

[@robinmoncrief2470]

What a disgrace.

[@BingoFrogstrangler]

The troops thought these sentences were correct,don’t judge those people by today’s standards.

[@theolder_man5768]

We can be thankful that only 306 were executed out of the six million that served in ww1 either by choice or by conscription. My mothers father was gassed during the war, but survived and raised two families. My fathers father had a older brother who died at Passchendaele aged 17 years and 2 months.

[@buds8423]

Sure-pension payment to grandchildren- - of 17 year olds?

[@patrickboyle505]

When will we ever learn, when will we ever learn?

[@anthonyeaton5153]

We learnt in 1929 when the death penalty for servicemen was rescinded.

[@gordonshaw5381]

May they rest in peace.

[@Antient.Briton]

There was no point in listing the names of the dead if viewers were unable to read them when insult was added to injury by hiding some of the names in smoke and sparks.

[@gordonshaw5381]

Haig was a murderer. He was a heartless brutal man. I have no respect for him.

[@robertstallard7836]

During the Great War, there were approximately 238,000 courts martial for all offences, of which 3,080 resulted in death sentences. Of those 3,080, 332 were actually carried out, the rest (90% of them) being reduced to other sentences by the C-in-C (for most of the war, Haig). 23 of the sentences carried out were for murder (which would have attracted the death penalty in civil life as well), and only 18 were shot for cowardice.

[@crouqetoo2]

it's hidden in my memory ,reading about a British Sgt., sentenced to be shot for either desertion or cowardice, when awaiting the sentence, he was recalled for a major German offensive, during which he managed to win the MM, nevertheless, he was later shot at dawn for his previous action. I reallly can't recall where I picked up this bit of info, it maybe fictionist, I don't recall, perhaps someone reading this can prove or disprove this.

[@anthonyeaton5153]

Your story is almost untrue if you cannot give the source. Never heard of it myself after 60 years study.

[@crouqetoo2]

@@anthonyeaton5153 you are correct to disbelieve statements made by me or anyone else for that matter without quoting a reliable source.Since I really cannot recall where I picked up the information ,.Never the less, the matter is in the back oh my mind ,I,should mention my fictionist , should relly be fictional, cheers for your response and I reiterate if the source of any info cannot be established, it should be ignored

[@johncahalane7327]

To make matters worse the army lied about what happened to most of the 306, the cowards sat behind the desks....no excuses this was disgusting behaviour by the British Army, I understand the Imperial German Army shot just 25 men and were far more civilised...it took until 2006...

[@TheLiam1951]

murder

[@seanohare5488]

Definitely

[@stephenboyd4804]

200 Generals were killed in action during WW1. They certainly were not hiding in chateaux with clean boots.

[@themessenger5868]

If I'm not mistaken...not one single officer shot at dawn?

[@dynadya770]

You are mistaken sir. 3 officers were executed, Sub Lt Edwin Dyer - RN & 2nd Lt Eric Poole - W Yorks for desertion and Lt John Patterson - Essex Regt for murder.

[@ijm1963]

90% other ranks pardoned. No officers pardoned. Also consider that the highest casualty rate was amongst officers. And before you start about Generals look at their casualty rates.

[@dynadya770]

You are mistaken sir. The British Army executed 3 officers by firing squad. 1. Sub Lt Edwin Dyett, RND. Desertion 2. 2nd Lt Eric Poole, W Yorks. Desertion 3. Lt John Patterson, Essex Regt. Murder

[@themessenger5868]

@@ijm1963 Posthumous pardons, are hardly a gift. please remind me, just how many Generals were shot at dawn? Your statistics are rather irrelevant to my question.

[@ijm1963]

@@themessenger5868 Well it’s rather hard to keep up with your shifting position. I suspect you have not served. My general appreciation of the dead is they do not accept gifts. When it comes to the military courts they generally came to a fair decision in that the men were guilty as charged. However what most of us from our privileged 2024 positions struggle with is the sentence. As for pardons they might help some families, most are long departed. When giving them the line was drawn at murderers. I suspect the fact that Parliament changed military law just after the Great War was a fitting legacy and has served better than virtue signaling. As for your comment on Generals anyone who knows the history would not want to change places with them.