Main content

Victoria Station, Manchester: Shot at Dawn

One of the most controversial policies in the Great War was the execution of soldiers for cowardice or desertion.

If you go to Manchester's Victoria Station and look at the war memorial - there are two names on it; former railway workers Albert Ingham and Alfred Longshaw. Both men enlisted together and died together after deserting from the Manchester Pals on the Somme in 1916.

But they were not treated with disgrace in death – both men have official military gravestones.

Albert Ingham’s father paid for an inscription to be added knowing his son had been shot for desertion: β€˜β€™Shot at Dawn one of the first to enlist, a worthy son of his father.’’

Location: Victoria Station, Manchester M3 1AR
Image: Victoria Station

Release date:

Duration:

5 minutes

Featured in...