Four soldiers gave evidence against Farr, confirming the general sequence of events, which Farr did not deny. The Field General Court Martial took place 2 weeks later. The following morning he was arrested and charged with contravening section 4 (7) of the Army Act-showing cowardice in the face of the enemy. A fracas broke out between Farr and his escorts, and this time they let him run away. At 11.00 pm that night a final attempt was made to get Private Farr up to the front line, and he was escorted forward. I give fuck all for my life and I give fuck all for yours and I'll get you fucking well shot’. Then Hanking replied ‘You are a fucking coward and you will go to the trenches. He refused, telling Regimental Sergeant Major Haking, that he ‘could not stand it’. Later that night Farr was found still at the rear, and was again ordered to go the trenches. He was sent to see the medical officer, who either found nothing wrong with him, or refused to see him because he had no physical injury-the Court Martial papers are unclear on this point. At 9.00 am that morning Farr asked for permission to fall out, saying he was not well. That day his battalion was moving from their rear positions up to the front line itself. Harry Farr was a member of 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, which was taking part in the battle of the Somme. There is little dispute about the sequence of events on 17 September 1916 that led to the execution of Private Farr.

Now that a pardon will be granted, it is timely to review what we know about the life and death of Harry Farr.

Most people will probably have been pleased by the result, and feel that justice has finally been done. The long-standing campaign for a pardon, not just for Harry Farr but for all those executed for military offences during the First World War, has been concluded. Last month the Defence Secretary Des Browne announced a formal pardon for Harry Farr, who had been shot at dawn for cowardice on 16 October 1916.

Total war pike and shot