Shot at Dawn
Last Soldier Executed in Mazingarbe
Private Charles Welsh of the 8th Battalion (90th Winnipeg Rifles) three times sentenced to death, finally executed at the abattoir in Mazingarbe on 6 March 1918. One of four Canadians executed in March of that year, and the last of 11 soldiers of the British Army to be executed at the former abattoir in Mazingarbe, Pas-de-Calais.
Enlistment of Private Charles Welsh
Private Charles Welsh 38119 enlisted 10 February 1915 in Port Arthur, Ontario (later part of Thunder Bay). A 26-year-old 5′ 6″ sailor with dark complexion, brown hair, blue eyes and a tattoo of a chain on his left wrist. Previous service with 96th Army Service Corps, Manchester.
Charles Welsh born in England on 3 July 1889 and immigrated to Canada in 1912. Son of Mary Jane Welsh of Birkenhead, England. Brother Leopold Welsh of 18 Kings Street, Waterside, Londonderry, Ireland.
Absent On Parade
Just prior to embarking for England, Pte Welsh Absent On Parade, 14 June 1915, and docked a half days pay. Three days later, Charles proceeded overseas per SS SCANDINAVIAN.
Absent Without Leave
Only a month into training at Shorncliffe Camp, Private Charles Welsh AWOL for an extended period. On 27 July 1915, 8 days pay forfeited, and Charles spends 8 days in detention.
On 3 August 1915 Private Charles Welsh transferred to the 8th Battalion. Private Welsh writes his last Will and prepares to proceed overseas.
8th Canadian Infantry Battalion
Organized in Valcartier Camp in September 1914 initially composed of recruits from Winnipeg and from the 96th Lake Superior Regt of the Active Militia. Initially commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Louis J Lipsett.
The 8th Battalion embarked Quebec City 1 October 1914 aboard FRANCONIA, and later disembarked in England on 14 October 1914 with a strength of 47 officers, 1106 other ranks. The 8th disembarked in France 13 February 1915 with the 1st Canadian Division, 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade.
First Field General Court Martial
Private Charles Welsh went missing 2 February 1916 in the vicinity of Ploegsteert, Belgium.
Found guilty of the lesser offence of away while on leave and sentenced to six months intensive hard labour on 21 February 1916. On 31 March 1916, sentence commuted by General Lipsett to 90 Days FP No 1, and forfeits only two days pay.
Private Welsh granted 7 days leave of absence from 28 May 1916, later extended 24 hours to 7 June 1916.
Second FGCM
He walked away again in June 1916, when the company was ordered to the front lines at Mont Sorrel — a battle that lasted for almost two weeks and ended with over 8,000 Canadian casualties.
A month later he was spotted wandering aimlessly, looking like a tramp, in a field across the border in France. In confinement awaiting trial from 3 August 1916 to 21 August 1916.
With Lt Col Louis J Lipsett now commanding the 3rd Canadian Division (the 8th Battalion in the 1st Division), Charles not spared any leniency in his second Field General Court Martial. British-born, Major-General Lipsett took over the British 4th Division in 1918. The most-beloved General of the CEF during the Great War. Sir Arthur Currie elevated to the same level only following his death in 1933.
In March of 1918, with four Canadian soldiers Shot at Dawn, Lt-Gen Arthur Currie in command of the Canadian Corps. Currie had confirmed every Sentence of Death following his Knighthood, shortly after taking command of the Canadian Corps. He had succeeding Sir Julian Byng, the most popular commander of the Canadian Corps, during and after the Great War.
Byng and Currie remained close friends following the war. Unknown the extant of their friendly relations with Sir Douglas Haig, the man ultimately responsible for the promulgation of the Sentence of Death in the British Army throughout the Great War.
Sentenced to Death
Private Charles Welsh tried and convicted by FGCM for When on Active Service, 1) Desertion and 2) Losing by neglect Arms & Equipment and sentenced to suffer Death. Confirmed by General Officer Commanding Reserve Army, General Gough on 21 August 1916.
5 Years P. S.
Private Charles Welsh committed to No 1 Military Prison, Abancourt, Blairgies North Camp, Rouen on 13 September 1916.
Sentence commuted to 5 Years Penal Servitude, authority O/C Commanding the 8th Battalion, on 28 September 1916.
Two Years IHL
Charles’ sentence commuted once again to 2 Years Intensive Hard Labor by the Commander-in-Chief (Sir Douglas Haig), 5 November 1916.
Pte Welsh spends exactly a year confined to prison, before given another chance to return to his unit. Released from the No 1 Military Prison, Rouen under suspended sentence, 12 September 1917, shortly before the Battle of Passchendaele.
Final FGCM
On 9 November 1917, as the 8th Battalion about to enter the hell of Passchendaele, Charles fled. One hundred fifty four of his comrades fell during the battle. More than half of them never recovered and therefore named on the Menin Gate Memorial with no known resting place.
The image below may have been taken on 9 November 1917, the day Private Charles Welsh deserted the 8th Battalion.
Found in Poperinghe
On 24 January 1918, Private Charles Welsh apprehended in Poperinghe, having been previously declared a Deserter. Welsh Taken-on-Strength by the 8th Battalion and confined to trial.
On 8 February 1918 at his third FGCM
When on A/Service Deserting His Majesty’s Service in that h at St Jean Camp about 1:45 pm Nov 9, 1917, absented himself from his Battalion when under orders to proceed to the trenches until apprehended by the Military Police at Poperinghe on 24-1-18.
Found Guilty. Sentenced to Death. confirmed by D. Haig, F.M. Sentence duly carried out at 6:00 am March 6, 1918 & S-o-S accordingly. Forfeits 57 Days Pay by R.W.
Authority O/C 8th Battalion
A month later, the 8th Battalion in the lines at NIAGARA ALLEY, east of Loss-en-Gohelle, the 2nd Brigade HQ, and one company of the 8th stationed in Les Brebis, just south of Mazingarbe.
Shot Before Dawn
At 3:00 am, on 6 March 1918, one officer, Private Kenneth Walter Foster and 13 Other Ranks of the 8th Battalion proceeded north to the abattoir where Private Welsh held. The division chaplain with Welsh as he wrote his last letters and will.
On a cold and wet morning, difficult to discern the moment of sunrise. Nevertheless, the execution party began their task. A volley rang out. The medical officer then inspected the body, still affixed to a chair, only to find a pulse remained. A Lieutenant of the 8th Battalion then delivered the coup de grâce with his revolver. Finally, on 6 March 1918, just before dawn, Private Charles Welsh was dead.
The Canadian Corps executing soldiers at a rapid pace in March of 1918. Earlier on the 2nd of March, Private Edward Fairburn of Ste Catherine’s Ontario in the 18th Battalion executed. Later on the 13th, Private Harold Lodge of the 19th Battalion, and then on the 15th, Private Arthur C Dagesse of the 22nd Battalion shot by men of their own battalions.
The Canadian Letters and Images Project
The Canadian Letters and Images Project an online archive of the Canadian war experience, from any war, home front and battlefront, as told through the letters and also images of Canadians themselves. Begun in August 2000, through the digitization of contemporary letters, diaries, photographs, and also other related materials, the Project permits Canadians to tell their story, and Canada’s story, through their own words and images.
Kenneth Walter Foster
From the memoirs of Pte Kenneth Walter Foster comes his recollection of a most disagreeable subject. Foster one of the 14 men detailed to the firing squad. Kenneth Walter Foster 463067, had enlisted in Vernon, B.C., and remembered the day he had to shoot a blindfolded comrade tied to a chair.
At war, the penalty for not killing is death, in peace, the penalty for killing is death
During our rest period we were given instructions in a
certain drill which was entirely new to me. For several days we went through the same performance. It was a sort of target practice and guard of honor combined. However, it was not for us to ask questions, they were orders and we had to obey orders.Finally we were pronounced O.K. for whatever our task might be and the Officer in charge politely informed us that the following morning at dawn we were to act in the capacity of an official firing party when one of our own men was to be shot for desertion. He was Court martialed on two previous occasions and was let off on some pretext or other. The third time he met his doom and the execution was carried out in this manner.
The prisoner, a man of about thirty-five years of age, was placed in a chair, tied and blindfolded, with a piece of paper over his heart. The rifles, previously loaded with half live rounds and half blanks were placed on the ground about thirty feet away. The firing party them marched in, for it took place in an old farm yard.
No verbal command was given, the party acting on the blast of the Officer’s whistle. We were first reminded that failure to carry out instructions would mean the same fate. In the event of no one hitting the mark the Officer in charge would carry out the ghastly deed.
As I remember it the whole thing only took about a minute. In fact, it seems more like a dream now than something that really happened more than ten years ago. It is with some effort that I recall the facts that transpired on that eventful August morning.
Not being murderously inclined, it can be readily understood when I say that it was some time before I could get the disagreeable subject off my mind. Such is war. The ways of mankind are strange. At war, the penalty for not killing is death, in peace, the penalty for killing is death.
Kenneth Walter Foster
Execution of CQS William Alexander
Reverend Canon Scott, the 1st Division Chaplain ended his story of the execution Company Quartermaster Sergeant William Alexander in much the same way.
I have seen many ghastly sights in the war, and hideous forms of death. I have heard heart-rending tales of what men have suffered. But, nothing ever brought home to me so deeply, and with such cutting force, the hideous nature of war. And, the iron hand of discipline, as did that lonely death on the misty hillside in the early morning. Even now, as I write this brief account of it, a dark nightmare seems to rise out of the past. And, almost makes me shrink from facing once again memories that were so painful.
Frederick George Scott
A Dark Nightmare
There remains no better account of an execution of a soldier in the Great War than Frederick George Scott’s story of William Alexander than in his book The Great War As I Saw It – ISBN-10: 1845741668.
Abattoir of Death
Eleven soldiers were shot against the wall of the abattoir in Mazingarbe. The area just behind support trenches to the east, and undamaged by shellfire in April 1918.
A single plaque mounted on the wall of the former abattoir recognizes the 2006 pardon of James Graham, a Munster regular from Cork, the first soldier to be executed at Mazingarbe in December 1915.
Referring to Privates Charles Welsh, “Il sera le dernier exécuté à Mazingarbe,” according to the Mazingarbe’s Historical Society’s Georges Minche. “He would be the last executed in Mazingarbe.”
One of the soldiers executed, but not pardoned, a 45-year-old married man and former labourer, Arthur Dale, a Private and former colleague of Robert Dunsire VC in the 13th Battalion of the Royal Scots.
Dale had been found guilty of the murder of Lance Corporal James Sneddon. James Sneddon buried in Chocques Military Cemetery (Grave: I H 93).
Square du 19 mars 1962 — 74 Rue Florent Evrard. An 11 minute walk to Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery Extension. The abattoir now used as the local council services yard.
Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery and Extension
Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery used by units and field ambulances from June 1915 to February 1916. It contains 108 Commonwealth burials of the Great War and 24 French war graves.
The adjoining Communal Cemetery Extension begun by the 16th (Irish) Division in April 1916 and used until October 1918. It contains 248 Commonwealth burials of the Great War and two German graves. The extension designed by Sir Herbert Baker.
Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery
Private James Graham 9948
Private James Graham 9948
2nd Bn Royal Munster Fusiliers
Died on 21st December 1915
Son of Mrs Jane Graham
of 16, Lavitts Lane, off Old Market Place, Cork
In January 1915 the Munster Fusiliers serving in the area of Givenchy. At this time Graham took himself off and managed to remain absent until finally arrested on 14th November in a brothel in Béthune. He presented himself as a corporal and furnished a false identity.
At his trial also charged with fraud and condemned to death. He became the first soldier to be executed in the abattoir at Mazingarbe.
Private John Docherty S/9672
9th Bn Black Watch
Royal Highlanders
Died on 15th February 1916 aged 27
Son of Thomas and Margaret Docherty
of 9 Brown Square, Edinburgh
The first Kitchener Volunteer to be executed. John Docherty had enlisted early in 1915. He went absent in January being captured the following day by the Military Police. A medical examination failed to go as far as saying suffering from shellshock. Docherty informed at 1845 hours on the 14th February that his sentence had been confirmed and would be carried out the following morning (At 0712 hours according to the War Diary).
Private John Jones 9840
1st Bn Northamptonshire Regiment
Died on 24th February 1916 aged 21
On the 8th October 1915 Jones’s battalion was in the front line at Mazingarbe (This is during the Battle of Loos). The Germans launched a bombardment and attempted to regain their old trenches. They were however beaten off and the Northamptons began preparations for a further advance.
On the 11th October Jones made off whilst on sentry duty. Recaptured but managed to make good his escape and remained at large until 3rd February 1916.
His plea that his sergeant victimized him fell on deaf ears at the subsequent trial. His escape from custody weighing against him.
Private Arthur Dale 4437
Shot at Dawn for murder
13th Bn Royal Scots
Died on 3rd March 1916
On the 8th February 1916 whilst out on rest Arthur Dale spent the day drinking in a local estaminet. His mate Lance Corporal James Sneddon came in and told him that he had drunk more than enough and should go back to his billet which Dale did. Witnesses state that they saw Dale climb into his loft with his rifle and a moment later a shot rang out. Sneddon fell, mortally wounded. The witnesses and arresting police all stated that Dale very drunk and incoherent.
Brought to trial later on the 20th of February and condemned to death for murder.
Corporal Charles Lewis B/21000
12th Bn Highland Light Infantry
Died on 11th March 1917
Summoned for duty on 23rd January 1915 whilst resting at Noeux les Mines, Lewis went absent. He was arrested at Thiennes on 10th February by members of the 19th Durham Light Infantry.
Lewis gave numerous different accounts during his detention, wavering between being American (born in Butte City, Montana according to the Scottish War Memorial Project) or Canadian, to having worked in Canada. He stated that he had been blown up by an industrial explosion and that this had left him prone to moments of forgetfulness.
Medical examinations could find nothing wrong with him, and his plethora of accounts seemed to suggest that he knew what he was doing when he had gone absent — at the very moment he had been warned for the trenches.
Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery Extension
Private Anthony O’Neill 1/15134
1st Bn South Wales Borderers
Died on 30th April 1916
Son of James and Sarah O’Neil
of 20, Castle Street, Neath
Driver John Hasemore L/36251
180th Brigade
Royal Field Artillery
Died on 12th May 1916 aged 23
An ex Navy man Hasemore volunteered for service in the summer of 1915. Having joined up though he took a dislike to having to obey orders and became increasingly disobedient.
Ultimately he refused to obey even the most banal of orders and this — on active service — resulted in his trial for disobedience.
Private William Burrell L/10414
2nd Bn Royal Sussex Regiment
Died on 22nd May 1916 aged 21
Son of Charles and Fanny Burrell
of Mill House, Fishbourne, Chichester
Native of Pulborough
Burrell had enlisted in 1914 before war had commenced. In November 1914 shipped to France and the 2nd Bn Royal Sussex. In January 1915 whilst serving near Cuinchy he went absent. Captured and sentenced to death. The sentence later commuted and Burrell sent to prison on 7th May 1915.
Burrell later released on 4th April 1916 and sent back to his battalion who were in trenches at Loos. He went absent again within a few weeks.
Rifleman Edward Card R/19333
20th Bn King’s Royal Rifle Corps
Died on 22nd September 1916 aged 23
Card had already received a year’s imprisonment with hard labour for an offence of desertion and during a period in the front line on the Somme in 1916 he went absent again.
Captured within 24 hours at Amiens and later brought to trial on the 9th of September after the unit had moved away from the Somme and executed in the abattoir – the last British soldier to be so.
Private J Thomas 12727
2nd Bn Welsh Regiment
Died on 20th May 1916 aged 44
Son of Mrs M Davies, of Lampha, Pembroke
Father of three children and a Reservist, Thomas stated at his trail for desertion that at 44 it was unfair to expect him to be able to perform as well as younger men.
Private Charles Welsh A/38119
8th Bn Canadian Infantry
Manitoba Regiment
Died on 6th March 1918
Already under a suspended death sentence for desertion Welsh went missing prior to his units assault on Passchendaele. Found ten weeks later in a private house in Poperinge.
Private Charles Welsh became the last soldier to be shot by firing squad in Mazingarbe’s abattoir.
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