The Memorial commemorates 309 British and Commonwealth soldiers who were shot for offences including desertion, cowardice, mutiny and sleeping at post during the First World War. Most were sentenced after a short trial at which no real opportunity for defence was allowed.
Today, it is recognised that some were underage and many suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which was not recognised as a medical condition until 1980.
Each post represents the men who were posthumously pardoned, their service and lives given, and stands as a powerful reminder of the atrocities of war and its effect on those who serve our Nation.
The Memorial is located at the Eastern edge of the Arboretum where dawn strikes first, next to the River Tame, and within a flood plain. Over time the grounds and posts had deteriorated beyond repair and required an urgent refit and refurbishment.
Public and corporate support in the region of £80,000 was desperately needed, to ensure this Memorial stood for future generations.
As word spread that this Memorial needed urgent repair, our community stepped in to help. Generous public donations supporting each post flooded in and our corporate partners helped with:
.jpg?sfvrsn=182b029e_3&Method=ResizeFitToAreaArguments&Quality=High&ScaleUp=False&MaxHeight=1356&MaxWidth=1356&Signature=75B9D739AE163A3DD0AB06B681C21D8EE0F5B31F "Shot at Dawn Tom Pictures (3)")
