He was separated from his battalion and found hiding in a barn wearing clothes taken from a scarecrow. On 9 September 1914, Pte Highgate was executed, aged 19. Three hundred British soldiers were to share his fate. But 46 voted no, saying it was wrong to rewrite history. The RBL is planning to engrave in brass the names of the 51 Shoreham men who died in action.
People are much more understanding today.
Some feel there had been an injustice and that it should be righted. But we must respect those who said no. Pte Highgate's name is on a war memorial in Sidcup, south-east London, where his family lived after leaving Shoreham. His date of birth was wrong, as was his regiment. It is believed the mistakes were deliberate to hide his desertion record.