The BBC's David Dimbleby in his commentary described the Shot at Dawn section of the parade as interestingly the Shot at Dawn Pardons Campaign are campaigning to secure a pardon for those who were shot at dawn for supposed cowardice in fact more often for shell shock and mental disorder.  John Hughes-Wilson an ex British Army Intelligence Officer and  Mr Dimbleby's co-commentator retorted sharply of course the majority were executed for desertion.  Wilson's comments are indicative of a reluctant British establishment unwilling to accept the new reality.  On the 19th of September 1914, the C in C of the B.E.F, Sir John French issued instructions to courts martial that while their duty was to consider the weight of evidence, they were also to consider the effect of the offence on the discipline of the Army. He went on to state that in the interest of discipline no matter how severe the sentence, no feeling of commiseration for the individual must deter them from their duty.  French's instruction was an overt interference into the discretion of a courts martial and as a consequence his requirement inter alia as the ultimate confirming authority, undermined from the outset, the entire military legal process during world war one.  Those Shot at Dawn were executed for example see courtsmartial  Private Patrick Joseph Downey.  In a letter to the Times [30/11/00], His Honour  Mr Justice Anthony Babington QC  referred to the decision in Regina v Johnson (Harold) (Law Report, Times 2, Nov 21) and concluded that many of those convictions were unsafe according to the standards of today and stated that the British Government should look again at these cases in the light of the court of appeals decision.  Excluding other legal or mitigating circumstances, 50% of the Irish cases alone were adjudged by courtsmartial which consisted of officers from the defendents own regiment  and as a consequence are in violition of the current law on human rights; see  [Morris v The United Kingdom.[No 38784/97]  which found that the British system of courtsmartial infringes article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights which states everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing. . . by an independent and impartial tribunal. On the 14th of September 2000, the New Zealand Government granted Pardons to five of their soldiers who were executed. Surely a British Government could follow "their example" ?.  Significantly, whether by design or default, the BBC did not transmit any visual images of the Shot at Dawn contingent at today's Remembrance Parade and as a consequence we report on our participation.

Approximately one hundred supporters and relatives of the Shot at Dawn Campaign world wide gathered for today's Royal British Legion cenotaph parade in London. Each participant wore a white disc which showed the executed soldiers name, rank, number, nationality and date of execution. This year the Black Police Officers Association with friends led the Shot at Dawn section with John Hipkin the leader of the Shot at Dawn Pardons Campaign and Peter Mulvany coordinator Shot at Dawn Campaign Irl. Accompanied by a disabled veteran from Jamaica,  members of the Black Police Association laid a wreath in support of a pardon for Herbert Morris Private 7429 aged 17 years of the 6th British West Indies Regiment from Jamaica, executed by firing squad on 20th September 1917.  The National Union of Journalists were represented and laid a wreath. The Shot at Dawn Campaign in Ireland paraded with relatives of  Patrick Joseph Downey  Private 6/227 6th Bn., Leinster Regiment, aged 19, executed by firing squad on Monday 27 December 1915. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Royal Munster Fusiliers Association (1992) Limerick and the  Irish Seamen's Relatives Association [1939-46].  We marched around to Horse Guards Parade where the Duke of York, Prince Andrew took the salute. Passing the dias, the Prince turned to the President of the Royal British Legion, Lt Gen Sir Roderick Cordy-Simpson and appeared to be expressing an interest as to why members of the Shot at Dawn Campaign had white target discs pinned to their chests ?.  On Horse Guards at the conclusion of the Parade many veterans approached and indicated their support.