Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-03-27


wheel, and we found ourselves in sort
of enclosed courtyard.
The dawn was breaking and the
rain had ceased.
In front of us We're four stacks of
rifles. three to a stack.
The officer brought us to attention
and gave the order to unpile arms. We
each took a rifle. Giving us "Stand at
ease,' In nervous and ~shaky voice.
he informed:
Men, you are here on very solemn
duty. You have been selected as n
firing squad for the execution of a sol
der, who, having been found guilty
of grfevous crime against king and
country has been regularly and duly
tried and sentenced to be shot at 3:2S
d. M. this date This sentence has been
approved by the reviewing authority
and ordered carried out. 1t is our duty
to carry on with the sentence of the
court.
There are twelve rifles, one of
which contains blank cartridge, the
other eleven containing ball cartridges.
Every man is expected to do his duty
and fire to kill. Take your orders from
.me. Squad Shun !"
We came to attention. Then he left.
My heart was of lead and my knees
shook.
After standing at attention for
what seemed week, though in reality
it could not have been over five min
utes, we heard low whispering in our
rear and footsteps on the stone flag
ging of the courtyard.
Our officer reappeared and in a low,
but firm voice, ordered:
'AboutSTurn y
of dawn, a few yards in front of me, l
could make out brick wall Against
this wall was dark form with white
square pinned on its breast. We We're
supposed to aim at this square. To the
right of the form noticed white spot
on the wall. This would be my target.
"Ready! Aimi Firel"
The dark form sank into huddled
heap. My bullet sped on Its way, and
hit the whitish spot on the wall; I
could see the splinters fly. Some one
else had received fhe rifle containing
the blank cartridge, but my mind was
ut ease, there was no blood OF u
Tommy on my hands.
"Order--Arms About-Turn Pile
Arms. Stand-Clear."
The stacks were reformed.
.Quick - Marchl Right - Wheel p
And we left the scene of execution be-
hind us.
1t was now daylight. Efter march
ing about FIVE minutes, we. We're dis
enlisted with the following instructions
from the officer in command:
"Return, alone, to your respective
companies, and remember, no talking
about this affair, or else 1t viii so hard
with the guilty ones.
We needed no urging to get away. /
did not recognize any of the men on
the firing squad; even the officer was a
stranger to me.
The victims relations and friends in
Blighty Will never know that he was
executed; they will be under the i'm
preston that he died doing his bit for
king and country. q
In the public casualty lists his name
will appear under the caption "Acci-
dentally Killed" or .Diedi
The day after the execution re-
ceived orders TO report back to the
line, and to keep a sim tongue in my
| head.
Executions are a part of the days
work, but the part we hated most Of
all, think--certainly the saddest. The
British war department Is thought by
many people TO be composed Of rigid
regulations all Soanti around with red
tape. But Il has heart. and one Of
the evidences Of this Il the considcr"it
way in which an execution Is concealed
and reported 20 the relative OF thelun
fortunate man. They never know the
truth He Is listed ia the bulletins a.
among The ''acddentally killed"
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