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'I was for 3 years in a civil Asylum from 1908 to 1912 at Glasgow
Asylum Ayrshire. On coming out of Asylum I enlisted in the Special
Reserve Battalion of Royal Scots Fusiliers. I came out to France
with 2nd Bn in Sept 1914. In Dec 1914 my dug out was blown in.
I was dug out by some engineers. I was evacuated to England with
shell shock. On rejoining my unit I was told I was recommended
for discharge but never got it. The guns upset me which I put
down to my previous complaint. I have been sent home twice for
wandering away from my unit.'
TNA: War Office: WA71/579
The House of Commons began to take an interest in military executions,
especially in 1916 when several cases were raised by MPs. In October
1917, Philip Snowden, leader of the Independent Labour Party, raised
Private Stanley’s case and the question of shell shock. Snowden
maintained that Stewart was returned to active service before his
nerves had recovered.
In April the following year, Private Stewart’s mother wrote
to the authorities:
'Dear Sir,
Excuse the liberty I am taking in writing to you… if you
would kindly tell me what to do? Surely a British mother is entitled
to something for the loss of her son? I brought him up from when
he was a year and 8 months old without a father. Will you kindly
write and let me know what I am to do, and oblige?'
NAS: SC70/9/102(12)
Until 1916, the dependants of a man executed for desertion did
not receive a pension.
The Naval and Military War Pensions Act, 1915 (c. 83) rectified
this and made better provision for pensions, grants, and allowances
for officers and men in naval and military service and their dependants,
and for the care of officers and men disabled in the war.
We do not know the outcome of Mrs Stewart’s claim for compensation
but the survival of her letter indicates the degree of anguish she
must have gone through in the circumstances.
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1. Desertion and its consequences
On what grounds do you think that the military was justified
in executing deserters? Give reasons for your answer.
2. Hold your own class tribunal on the treatment
of Private Stanley Stewart.
Appoint a panel of judges, your own defence and prosecution
teams and a team of reporters to record events. Based on the
facts provided and using moral arguments based on Utilitarian,
Kantian or Humanist views
• prepare your research notes as judges
• prepare a case in support of his execution
• prepare a case in support of his acquittal
• prepare a written or audio report of the event
Set out your key points in the worksheets
(opens in new window) to help you frame your arguments.
After you have held your tribunal and studied the reporters’
account of the event, discuss the outcome and the stages you
went through to achieve it. Did anyone change their opinions
surrounding the issue during or as a result of the whole process?
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