Shot At Dawn (Stereo Version Link on the right)

STEREO VERSION http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3yqHpaezjg&fmt=18
A song inspired by the Shot At Dawn campaign, and by the men and boys executed during The First World War for desertion.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Shot
• At
• Dawn
• Harry
• Farr
• patch
• Gertrude
• Harris
• Somme
• Paschendale
• radiohead
• Court
• Martial
• Execution
• World
• War
• One
• Earl
• Haig
• Kitchener
• Remembrance
• 1914
• 1918
• General
• Wright
• 89th
• American
• Division

[Davidwcrozier]

James Crozier was my Great Uncle. While the Pardon was welcomed, there was no admission that many of those executed may in fact have been victims of shell shock. Thanks for this song. 

[hengar23]

@Davidwcrozier i think an apology would be more appropriate than a pardon David. Thanks for the comment.

[LizzieCornish]

Wonderful song. If you google 'Harry Farr Myspace' you'll find a page I made in memory of Harry and all the other young men who died. This was inspired by Reg Meuross's tender song '...and Jesus Wept'...and it contains details of how Harry's family fought so hard to get him pardoned..and all the other soldiers who were so brutally murdered. May they all rest in peace. Thank you for a superb film and song. - Lizzie

[hengar23]

Thank you for your thoughts and for taking the time to post Lizzie, it is greatly appreciated. I'm looking forward to sitting down one evening and reading through your Myspace page; it looks like you have put a lot of effort into it. Have you ever had any direct communication with Harry's relatives, I would be interested to know? - Gary

[ajfroaolcom]

Great piece! Music, photos... everything was excellent!

[hengar23]

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a glowing comment.

[ultradumbass]

executions are so bullshit! it proves the generals are too lazy to find a more creative and merciful way to punish someone.

[jjmcg23]

Heavy duty, but very effective - great song as well :)

[The1stPoster]

@swanningaround Don't talk about my country that you know nothing of you piece of shit. The same country that gave you the freedom and technology that you now use to insult us.

If there's anyone that deserves a swift execution it's scum like you. Now fuck right off son.

[swanningaround]

A disgrace. I can't stand the English. Murderous swne. They can fight their own battles.

[starletdempsy]

I don't think they meant to abandon their fellow men in the army, they abandon the army because of fear. They didn't mean to hurt anyone or anything it was that they were scared. They couldn't take the mission with a complete brave heart and that's okay. Some people can do it and some people can't, but war is ugly and leaves everyone with horrid feeling. Poor boys.

[LizzieCornish]

Hello there, Gary.

Yes, I was put in touch with Janet, Harry's grandaughter..a really lovely lady. There was talk of a film being made about Harry and the other lads who so tragically lost their lives this way. It was due to be made by Milos Forman (of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest fame) I don't know if that is still in the pipeline though. I certainly hope so.

[ant259]

It's a terribly sad story and you have to have every sympathy with those shot for desertion, cowardice etc. However I now believe they were right to shoot them. Of course, you could have felt sorry for each man and let them off, but not if you wanted to actually win the war.

Hundreds of thousands of young men were also inexperienced and frightened, but they did their duty. Let's remember them instead.

[clivetemple]

Thoughtful. Very minor point, I believe the men at 1:46 are Australians and no Australian was shot for desertion in WW1. On another note the most trajic of all cases was the use of 'decimation' by the French against Algerian troops. A subject almost completely 'forgotten' by the French government.