1918 Would You Believe: Shot At Dawn

The grave of McCracken Templeton one of the Irish soldiers shot at dawn by the British army Image Name: The grave of McCracken Templeton one of the Irish soldiers shot at dawn by the British army Description: 1918: Shot at Dawn Copyright: © RTÉ Stills Library RTÉ. This image may be reproduced in print or electronic format for promotional purposes only. Any further use of this image must be re-negotiated separately with RTÉ. Use is subject to a fee to be agreed according to the current RTÉ Stills Library rate card.
Some of the O'Callaghan family visit their executed relative Patrick Downey’s memorial ‘post’ at the National Memorial Arboretum has been set up at Alrewas, in Staffordshire, UK. Image Name: Some of the O'Callaghan family visit their executed relative Patrick Downey’s memorial ‘post’ at the National Memorial Arboretum has been set up at Alrewas, in Staffordshire, UK. Description: 1918: Would You Believe: Shot at Dawn Copyright: © RTÉ Stills Library RTÉ. This image may be reproduced in print or electronic format for promotional purposes only. Any further use of this image must be re-negotiated separately with RTÉ. Use is subject to a fee to be agreed according to the current RTÉ Stills Library rate card.
A tribute to Irish soldier Patrick Downey who was shot at dawn by the British Army during World War 1. Image Name: A tribute to Irish soldier Patrick Downey who was shot at dawn by the British Army during World War 1. Description: 1918: Would You Believe: Shot at Dawn Copyright: © RTÉ Stills Library RTÉ. This image may be reproduced in print or electronic format for promotional purposes only. Any further use of this image must be re-negotiated separately with RTÉ. Use is subject to a fee to be agreed according to the current RTÉ Stills Library rate card.

Broadcast Details: Monday 10th November, 10.35pm

RTÉ FACTUAL: The Would You Believe team look at the tragic death of 26 Irish soldiers who were "shot at dawn" on the battlefield by the British army during World War 1 for various offences.

Among the many tragedies of Britain’s World War 1 experience is the story of the 306 men ‘shot at dawn’, 26 of whom were Irish. These men were executed on the field for various offences such as desertion or cowardice, but dubious courts martial eventually resulted in official UK government pardons.

‘Would You Believe’ meets Dublin bus driver, Peter Mulvaney of the ‘Shot at Dawn’ (Ireland) Campaign which was instrumental in securing pardons for all 306 men. Reporter Mick Peelo travels to England to meet with some of the families of the dead soldiers who’ve lived through 90 years of stigma to finally see their war dead rehabilitated.

These include 95-year-old Gertie Harris, the daughter of Private Harry Farr, executed though he had been hospitalised for five months for shell shock; and the O’Callaghan family, who rediscovered their lost ancestor Patrick Downey who’d been shot for disobedience after he failed to put on his cap. ‘Would You Believe’ also visits a new memorial to the executed men in Britain’s National Memorial Arboretum.