rjt

These two men have finally had their names added to Wealdstone War Memeorial nearly 100 years after being executed for cowadice despite the fact that they were suffering from shell shock.

I hope other events for solidiers who suffered a similar fate continue to take place.

These men deserved to be honoured for their bravery and the vilifcation they are there familys suffred was an abomination.

Godd to see there is still some compassion in the world.

Benjaminw1

I disagree, sentimental nulab ballocks.

What about all the countless thousands that did their duty without boogering off to safety and leaving their mates in the lurch?

rjt

You obviously have no concept of what shell shock was. However that is your view and you are fully entitled to it.

Personally I rejoice that every now and then there is some basic human compassion shown in this country.

Benjaminw1

Shell shock = Lack of moral fibre

In early 1918
9 Australian soldiers per 1000 were under arrest (no capital punishment)
less than 1 British soldier per 1000 were under arrest (capital punishment)

(Oh and I have worn HM uniform)

rjt

evidently wearing HM uniform does not involve classes in comapssion or forgiveness.

jim h

Whilst there may have been some sad cases amongst those executed we should not forget that many of those executed were repeat offenders , they let their comrades down and putting a 21st century perspective on history is nonsensical way of approaching it, this is the way which leads to the Government on behalf of the citizens of the UK apologising for the Irish potato famine , slavery ,the peterloo massacre ,for imprisoning suffragettes, etc
It is rubbish and irrelevant.

g hall

Conscription and peer pressure led to people being in the forces The tactics espoused by a moribund leadership who very seldom were exposed to danger
If leaders want a war let them fight it and leave the rest of us alone to get on with our lives

__________________
"That government is best which governs least."
"This is a sharp Medicine, but it is a Physician for all diseases and miseries".
"To be "matter of fact" about the world is to blunder into fantasy --and dull fantasy at that, as the real world is strange and wonderful."
TANSTAAFL TANJ

Internationalist

I wish I had a pound - or even a euro - for every time I have heard this but conflicts are a reality of the world in which we live and it is completely wrong to suppose that it is just our leaders (or for feminists, just men) who have an interest in their outcome.

Peace at any price is not a peace worth having and in the end you always have to face up to challenges. It was in part the huge desire for peace after the horror of World War I that weakened Britain's appetite and capacity for war, leading inexorably to appeasement of Hitler and the new horrors of World War II.

During the Cold War there were many who thought it would be better to be "red than dead". That sort of thinking positively encourages aggressors.

In the immortal words of Winston Churchill to parliament at the time of the appeasement at Munich: