British: 306

British: 306

German: 0

What impressions do you get

of Harry Farr?

Write them down

DEATH CERTIFICATE

 I certify that No: 8871, Private HARRY FARR of 1st Bn: West Yorkshire Regiment was executed by shooting at 6 a.m. on 18th October 1916, at CARNOY. Death was instantaneous.

[signed] A. Anderson Capt. R.A.M.C.

M.O. i/c 6th D.A.C.

L To describe the effects of trench

warfare on individual soldiers

? As a follow up to the work done on the

Battle of the Somme

By the end of the lesson you will be able to describe the case of Harry Farr and explain whether you have any sympathy for him

YouTube - Shell Shock and the case of Harry Farr

YouTube - WW1 Veterans Recall Executions

Don’t forget the episode where Black adder wears his underpants on his head and sticks pencils up his nose to prove he had shell shock!

The story of Harry Farr

Name What did they do?

How did they feel?

Harry Farr

Sergeant

Commanding Officer

Mrs Farr

Other cases

Private Thomas Highgate, of the Royal West Kent Regiment, was the first British soldier to be executed for desertion during World War I - just 35 days into the war

Other casesAt the age of 16, Private Herbert Burden lied that he was two years older so he could join the Northumberland Fusiliers and fight in the war.

By the time he faced the firing squad on 21 July 1915, Pte Burden was 17 - still too young to even officially be in his regiment.

Offence 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918

Desertion 3 46 71 90 35

Cowardice 1 4 10 2 -

Quitting post

- 2 2 2 1

Disobedience - 1 3 1 -

Murder - 2 4 3 10

Striking a superior Officer

- - 3 1 -

Casting Away Arms

- - 1 1 -

Mutiny - - 1 2 -

Sleeping on Post

- - - 2 -

Executions in the British Army 1914-1918

Harry Farr from First World War Receives Pardon

The mood in Gertrude Harris' small, bright flat in Harrow, north-west London, is one of celebration. There are cards telling her she has "rewritten history" and that justice has at last been done, and flowers, half a dozen bunches, including one newly delivered from the Sunday Times.

YouTube - Verdun- Shell Shock

YouTube - War Neuroses: Netley Hospital (1917), pt. 1 of 5

Homework

• Think of a newspaper headline which could show how you felt about the case of Harry Farr.

• Many soldiers in the first world war thought that it was fair to execute soldiers like Harry Farr. Underneath your headline write a story explaining why you might agree or disagree with them.