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27/03/2006
Reid to reconsider pardon for WWI soldier
Defence Secretary John Reid has said that he will reconsider granting a pardon to a First World War soldier who was executed for cowardice.
The family of Private Henry Farr are seeking the High Court to overturn a government decision to refuse to pardon him posthumously.
Private Henry Farr, of Kensington London was executed by firing squad on October, 2, 1916. However, the 25-year-old, who served with the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, had been hospitalised for five months, suffering from shell shock.
The family's appeal was rejected by Mr Reid earlier this year on the grounds that it could be conclusively proven that shell shock was behind Pte Farr's refusal to return to the front.
The Farr family, including his 92-year-old daughter Gertrude Harris, have insisted that Pte Farr was not a coward and had been suffering from shell shock.
Families of other British soldiers who were executed for cowardice during the First World War will watch the case closely.
It is estimated that 306 British and Commonwealth soldiers were executed for desertion during the First World War. None have received a pardon.
(KMcA/SP)
The family of Private Henry Farr are seeking the High Court to overturn a government decision to refuse to pardon him posthumously.
Private Henry Farr, of Kensington London was executed by firing squad on October, 2, 1916. However, the 25-year-old, who served with the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, had been hospitalised for five months, suffering from shell shock.
The family's appeal was rejected by Mr Reid earlier this year on the grounds that it could be conclusively proven that shell shock was behind Pte Farr's refusal to return to the front.
The Farr family, including his 92-year-old daughter Gertrude Harris, have insisted that Pte Farr was not a coward and had been suffering from shell shock.
Families of other British soldiers who were executed for cowardice during the First World War will watch the case closely.
It is estimated that 306 British and Commonwealth soldiers were executed for desertion during the First World War. None have received a pardon.
(KMcA/SP)
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