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The war memorial in the Kent village of Shoreham contains all the names of the men who fell in World War One. All except one – Private 10061 Thomas James Highgate, who was shot for desertion aged 19.

Private Highgate was the first soldier to be executed for desertion in WW1. Some historians think that he was made an example of by the army in the early days of the war. In recent years it’s been suggested that Private Highgate and many in his situation were suffering from what today would be called post-traumatic stress disorder.

In 2006, all 306 men shot for desertion were granted a blanket posthumous pardon, regardless of the circumstances of their court martial. However, Private Highgate’s name is still not among the others on his local memorial in Shoreham. People in the village are yet to decide whether his name should be added. Private Highgate’s great-nephew Terrence continues to campaign for this to happen.

Location: Shoreham, Kent TN14 7SE
Image of the war memorial
Presented by Libby Sutcliffe