Perhaps the most poignant set of monochrome prints from this particular project. In the First World war over 300 British soldiers were sentenced by a Military Court to be shot at dawn for cowardice. The Firing Squad was selected from the unfortunate soldier's own unit. We now know that the vast majority were suffering from shell shock (now known as Post Traumatic Stress).
Each wooden post has a number on it, along with the name, unit and age (if known) of all those poor souls who met their end in this way.
In 2006 all of those shot at dawn where given a posthumous pardon by the British Government.
The Shot at Dawn Memorial, the National Memorial Arboretum, Near Lichfield, Staffordshire, England.
No comments:
Post a Comment