The Shot at Dawn Memorial commemorates 309 British and Commonwealth soldiers who were shot for desertion, cowardice, striking a senior officer, disobeying a lawful order, casting away arms, mutiny and sleeping at post during the First World War. Most of them were sentenced after a short trial at which no real opportunity for defence was allowed.
Today, it is recognised that some were underage when they volunteered and that many of them were suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which was not recognised as a medical condition until 1980. In 2006 they were officially pardoned by the British Government.
Deliberately located at the most easterly part of the National Memorial Arboretum where the sun rises first, Shot at Dawn, was dedicated in 2001, with wooden posts representing each soldier. *
The central statue ‘Shot at Dawn’ represents a young soldier about to be shot. The six trees facing the posts represent the firing squad, all aiming for the target around the statue’s neck. It must have been traumatic for them too, having to shoot one of their own.*
*Information displayed next to the memorial
Instead of many words: Thank you.
This memorial is poignant.
Oh, there’s one in Taiping, Malaysia, managed by the Commonwealth War Graves.
It is sad to think about.
What a powerful, beautiful memorial. I didn’t notice the wooden posts behind the statue until I read your words, so thank you for your descriptions. I learned about PTSD in my psychology studies, but I specifically learned about the fate of these poor souls thanks to the storyline in Downton Abbey. I’m pleased that they were both pardoned and that they have a memorial now.
It is a beautiful memorial to a tragic set of circumstances.