U.S. Executions in UK

A total of 18 American servicemen were convicted, sentenced and executed by American courts martial in the UK during World War Two. A great deal of information about the American court martial system, including Board of Review findings, example cases and legal texts can be found as part of the United States Military Legal Resources… Continue reading U.S. Executions in UK

Australian Executed WWI

Over 300 UK soldiers, 25 Canadian and 5 New Zealand soldiers were sentenced to death and executed by courts-martial during the First World War. While Australian citizens serving in the Australian Army were sentenced to death, they all had their death sentences commuted. However, there were two Australians serving in the New Zealand Army and… Continue reading Australian Executed WWI

UK Executed WWI

Over 300 ( approximately 10% of soldiers sentenced to death) British soldiers were executed for capital offences during the First World War. I have looked at the cases of executed soldiers from the Corps of Royal Engineers and the Middlesex Regiment. The courts-martial proceedings for these soldiers are available at The National Archives, Kew, London.… Continue reading UK Executed WWI

NZ Executed WWI

While just over 300 British soldiers were executed for capital offences during the First World War, 5 New Zealand soldiers were executed: four for desertion and one for mutiny. THE COURTS MARTIAL SYSTEM AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS EXECUTED 1914-1918 CANADIAN SOLDIERS EXECUTED 1914-1918 UK SOLDIERS EXECUTED 1914-1918 The service papers for New Zealand soldiers can be view… Continue reading NZ Executed WWI

Canadian Executed WWI

While just over 300 British soldiers were executed for capital offences during the First World War, 25 Canadians were executed: 2 for murder, 1 for cowardice and 22 for desertion. THE COURTS MARTIAL SYSTEM AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS EXECUTED 1914-1918 NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS EXECUTED 1914-1918 UK SOLDIERS EXECUTED 1914-1918 A soldier’s service papers can be viewed online… Continue reading Canadian Executed WWI

Ball J & Sheffield F

Privates Joseph Ball and Sheffield, both of the 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment, had gone absent in December 1914. After only six weeks active service, they had deserted together from their unit. This happened while the rest of their unit made its way to the front line, ready for the attack on Neuve Chapelle. Ball and… Continue reading Ball J & Sheffield F

David Stevenson

Private David Stevenson (52128), a member of 13th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, had absconded whilst in a forward area, and remained at large for seven weeks. Details of this offence were posted in Rouen on 2 August 1918. He was then seen in a village, located in the rear. When he was questioned, Stevenson claimed that… Continue reading David Stevenson

Ernest Worsley

Ernest Worsley enlisted at the start of World War One in 1914. After serving with the 11th Battalion The Middlesex Regiment, he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion in 1916. During Autumn 1917, while serving in the front line, Private Worsley had been sent back to retrieve some food rations. Instead of returning with the… Continue reading Ernest Worsley

William Simmonds

Private William Henry Simmonds (G/11296), Middlesex Regiment, was tried with desertion at a Field General Court Martial held on 19 November 1916 at Poperinghe. The court consisted of a President and three members. The court consisted of a President and three members. PRESIDENT Lieutenant-Colonel W.F. Soames (10th R.W. Kents) MEMBERS Captain E.G. Bowden (11th Queens)… Continue reading William Simmonds

Henry Carter

Private H. Carter (335), Middlesex Regiment, was tried at a Field General courts-martial held at Vermelles on 12 April 1916. The court consisted of a President and two members; the minimum number required for a Field General courts-martial. One of the officers trying Private Carter, Lieutenant Maynard, came from the same battalion. PRESIDENT Lieutenant-Colonel S.… Continue reading Henry Carter