Family's bid to honour executed Bolton soldier

7:40am Tuesday 13th January 2009

A SOLDIER who was executed for cowardice in the First World War should have his name added to Bolton’s Roll of Honour, according to a campaigner.

Charles Sandbach, a distant relative of Private James Smith, wants his ancestor’s name to be remembered in the book honouring the town’s was dead.

Pte Smith nearly lost his life when a German artillery attack buried him alive. He was taken to hospital in a poor state and never recovered from the shell shock.

But the soldier, of Noble Street, Bolton, was posted back to the frontline and struggled to function, which resulted in him being sentenced to death.

Mr Sandbach, aged 42, of Astley Bridge, Bolton, said: “When I found out about what happened to Jimmy, I knew I had to do something to make sure he is not forgotten.

“He was not a coward, he was shell shocked after what happened to him, but that was not recognised at the time.

“He paid the ultimate price and deserves to be remembered.”

He died on September 5, 1917, in Kemmel, Belgium. Many of the soldiers assigned to his execution deliberately missed the target, but Pte Richard Blundell was ordered to finish the job and was posted home as a reward.

In August, 2006, a group pardon was granted for all soldiers who were executed in the First World War. Of the 306 soldiers who were executed, it is thought that Pte Smith was the only one from Bolton.

But Pte Smith’s name has not yet been added to the Roll of Honour, which is kept in the ceremonial entrance to Bolton Town Hall.

Family members were sent letters about the pardons, and Mr Sandbach did not receive one as the soldiers’ families were often difficult to trace.

But a year ago, Mr Sandbach met historian Bill Miles, of Great Lever, who knows a lot about the King’s Liverpool Regiment, with which James Smith served.

Mr Miles told Mr Sandbach about what happened to Pte Smith and after hearing the tragic tale Mr Sandbach started a crusade to get him recognised.

Dr Brian Iddon, MP for Bolton South-east, is backing his campaign.

He said: “He was an extremely brave soldier who was made seriously ill by his experiences of the horrors of war.

“He paid the ultimate price for the rest of us. His life was laid down for our freedom.”

The Ministry of Defence last night said that adding names to the Roll of Honour was a local authority matter.

Bolton Council said it would investigate.