Death Penny Plaque

[ALAMO2008]

Pte 11850 James Tongue of 1st King's Liverpool Regt aged 21
Enlisted 1914 aged 18
Sent Overseas 5 October 1915
Went through The Battle of the Somme till November 1916
But must have Refused to be Shot at again by going over the Top again. Classed Deserted Post
Had Court Martial and Shot at Dawn 8 January 1917 by his Mates
Buried in North East Corner of Churchyard alone at Agenvillers France not with his Mates Fallen
The Three Medals earned and War Gratuity and Dependents Pension All Refused to his Parents
His Mother was paid his 3 years unclaimed Army Pay only.
My Question is :- Did the Parents have The Death Penny Plaque sent ?

[louisa maud]

I cannot confess to know anything  about wars and the rights and wrongs but I find this incredibly sad,  he cannot have been the only lad to be shot in this way

LM

[Jebber]

This is the memorial to those shot at dawn, at the  National Arboretum.

[Treetotal]

I believe that the Death Penny was issued to soldiers who lost their life in the line of duty, I don't think that they were issued to deserters.
Carol

[ALAMO2008]

Louisa
See photo from Jebber of All the others Shot like that to make an Example
Australia and New Zealand joined Britain in the War on an Agreement in advance
 that None of their Troops could be Shot for Desertion.
Their Troops experienced equally the worst actions.
I have seen No evidence their Desertion was any higher without the deterrent.
Ernest Thurtle MP with Help from T E Shaw they go the Death Penalty abolished in 1930s
In 2006 Parliament Pardoned All these wronged Soldiers who weren't cowards.

[ALAMO2008]

[tonepad]

"The next of kin of the 306 British and Commonwealth military personnel who were executed following a Court Martial did not receive a memorial plaque."

http://www.greatwar.co.uk/memorials/memorial-plaque.htm


Tony

[ALAMO2008]

Brilliant Tonepad !!
Your Find answers what I suspected.
The Family were not even sent the Death Penny!

[Chris Doran]

The one that I have for a local lad says around the edge: "He died for freedom and honour" and the accompanying letter and scroll from the King contain phrases like "a brave life given for others" and "path of duty and self-sacrifice" which I guess would not have been considered appropriate for someone classed as a deserter, despite his previous service.