Whilst doing a little research I have come across several names, who were all serving King and Country. Having amassed a list of 29 names from Commonwealth countries who were executed whilst serving in WW2, I have found that 9 of them are not remembered on the CWGC database, whereas 14 are named on the Brookwood Memorial. The other 6 are Canadians who were executed for murder in the UK and are also named on the Brookwood Memorial. The names missing are Private Stanley Ernest Boon - North Staffordshire Regiment - executed 25/10/1939 - murder Private Arthur John Smith - North Staffordshire Regiment - executed 26/10/1939 - murder ? Samuel Morgan - Irish Guards - executed 09/04/1941 - rape and murder Gunner Harold Hill - Royal Artillery - executed 01/05/1942 - double murder L/Ac Gordon Frederick Cummins - RAF - executed 25/06/1942 - 4 murders ('The Blackout Beast') L/Ac Sydney James Delasalle - RAF - executed 13/04/1944 - murder L/Ac Arthur Heys - RAF - executed 13/03/1945 - rape and murder Sergeant James McNicol - Royal Artillery - executed 21/12/1945 - murder ? Reginald Douglas Johnson - unknown unit - executed 29/12/1945 - murder There are even two British soldiers who were executed in Germany after the cessation of hostilities who are buried in Hanover War Cemetery and are named on the CWGC database. There seems to be no logical reason why these 9 men have been forgotten, when the other 14 who are remembered all committed the same, or similar, crimes. Some excellent research has been done for all the missing men (and several others) HERE. Scroll about 2/3rds of the way down to 'British Soldiers Hanged For Murder in Britain'
The soldiers who committed murder in WW1, even though they have never been pardoned, have still all been given a headstone or named on a Memorial. Why do you suggest this should be any different for those in WW2? They all still served their King and Country, but they were the ones who ultimately chose the wrong path and paid with their lives. Are you suggesting removal of all WW1 murderers headstones as they don't deserve recognition? If 14 names of murderers are already on the Brookwood Memorial, then I believe the remaining 9 should also be added. Two men who committed murder whilst in Germany after the War are both buried next to each other in Hanover War Cemetery. Are they to be forgotten also?
Sorry my reply came across like I was having a go at CL1, I wasn't. It was in reply to the other thread.
By posting I have not suggested anything.It is an old thread with a different view to your thread. However now you mention it if they were murderers then they should not be remembered particularly as myself and other members of the forum have an awful time trying to get real casualties of both wars commemorated who have missed commemoration.It took me nigh on 5 years to get one chap commemorated even with evidence.We still have many ongoing. Some of the murders were not (if there ever was a simple murder) simple murders. One casualty here met a terrible end Neville Heath - Wikipedia Wren MARSHALL, DOREEN MARGARET Service Number 51177 Died 04/07/1946 Aged 21 H.M.S. PRESIDENT I Women's Royal Naval Service
Simple answer the 9 you mention had all been discharged from HM Forces prior to their execution. The 2 in Germany were tried by court martial so were still in HM Forces when executed.
There are over 5000 Commonwealth merchant seamen who served their country but because of stupid rules are not commemorated. I would rather put my effort to them. Lest we forget. Regards Hugh
It became standard operational procedure to discharge those who had been convicted of a civil offence prior to the commencement of their sentence.
If that was the case, where Boon, Smith and Morgan were the first 3 to be executed, why did 14 later murderers not be discharged before their execution?