2. But in November he was evacuated to hospital following a nervous breakdown, returning a second time to his battalion early in 1916. Prior to the attack on Delville Wood in August 1916, he went missing, unable to stand the strain.
He was executed on 18th November 1916 for attempted desertion at Deville Wood near Penin, France aged 29. Buried at Arras Road Cemetery, France. Private Alfred Leonard Jeffries is remembered at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire. #WW1 #shotatdawn

1. Continuing the series of Men who were Shot at Dawn WW1:
Alfred Leonard Jeffries was born in 1886, Bristol. He was the son of Leonard George Jeffries and Georgina White.
Alfred joined the 6th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry. Rank Private. Service No. 9970. He was wounded in the month following his arrival in France in May 1915 and returned to active service in due course. #WW1 #shotatdawn

2. Atkinson was arrested 3 weeks later. At trial, evidence was given that he was a good soldier, hence his sentence had carried a recommendation to mercy.
Lance Corporal Alfred Atkins is buried at the Chapelle-d’Armentieres, Old Cemetery France.
It shows that Alfred was married to a Rose according to the Register of Effects entry.
#WW1 #shotatdawn

1. Series of men who were executed for desertion in WWI:
Alfred Atkinson was born in 1889, Leeds, Yorkshire. He was the son of Edward Atkinson and Mary Lister Barstow.
8014 Lance Corporal Alfred Atkinson, 1st Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), executed for desertion 2nd March 1915, aged 24. He won a sum of money gambling, and after a drinking-bout deserted from his battalion when it was under orders to proceed to the front. #WW1 #shotatdawn

3. It was said because of his young age as he was only 17 in the September that the sentence be commuted to 5 years Penal Servitude. However, on the 21st February 1916 aged 18 Private William Hunter was shot as a deserter. Years later he was pardoned.
Private William Hunter is buried at Maroc British Cemetery. #WW1 #shotatdawn

2. 1st charge was for desertion in the field on 23rd September 1915 until he was apprehended in Burbure, 30th November 1915 avoiding active operations against the enemy.
2nd charge while in prison at Lillers he escaped from the detention room on 1st December 1915.
3rd charge while in prison at Mazingarbe on 5th January 1916 he escaped from the guard room awaiting Field Court Martial.
After witnesses had given evidence he was found guilty. #WW1 #shotatdawn

1. Series of men who were executed for desertion in WWI:
William Hunter was born in 1897, Percy Main, Northumberland. He was the son of James Gibson Hunter and Margaret Dixon.
In 1911 William aged 15 was an inmate, school, Durham, Sunderland. In 1914 William joined The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment 1st Battalion. Rank Private, Service No. 10710. In 1915 he went to France. #WW1 #shotatdawn

Shot at Dawn Memorial
The National Memorial Arboretum
Armed Forces Memorial
#designed by #Fira #landscapearchitects
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#alrewas #staffordshire #shotatdawn
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This is a series of men who were executed for desertion in WWI. I am starting off with the men from Yorkshire.
George Ainley was born in 1898, Sheffield, Yorkshire. He was the son of George Ainley and Alice Mary Liversidge.
Private George Ainley joined King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.1/4th Battalion. Service No. 202893. He was executed for desertion on 30th July 1918 age 20. He is buried at Hagle Dump Cemetery, Belgium. #WW1 #shotatdawn #history