Previous Talk

Heroes and Villians

The entry below is a synopsis of our speakers talk on 17th April 2024.

Mr Michael Gatherar gave us a presentation on "Heroes and Villains" which contrasted the outstanding Hearos of WW1 with the so called villains (Desearters).

Alvin York is one of the most notable heroes of WW1 for his actions in October 1918. York before he became a soldier, he wanted to avoid war for religious reasons, but instead, he became a war hero. Even though he was a national celebrity, York wanted his legacy to mean more. He used his fame and money from his life to educate his community.

Sgt. York helped capture 100 Germans in a mission that would have ended in total failure. York killed over 20 Germans and captures an additional 132 enemy soldiers at the head of a small detachment. However, his role in WWII would essentially fade away because his work proved far more extensive. But after the Great War, Alvin helped improved education in Tennessee, Role he played By eliminating a machine gun and capturing 132 German soldiers with his unit of American soldiers. York, by himself, captured or killed an entire German battalion. when the war ended, he received a medal of honour for his bravery and courage. By charging with his machine gun, he and his men took out a machine gun nest with 4 officers and 128 men.

Desertion, or absence without leave, was considered one of the worst offences possible as a member of the British and Commonwealth Armies during World War 1. As such, it was punishable by death. 306 men, many of whom were still teenagers, were shot at dawn by their comrades between 1914 and 1919.

Many of the soldiers who were executed for desertion were teenagers, and there were claims that the executions exposed class issues among the ranks. There is an example of when an Officer was found guilty of deserting his post he was not sentenced to death on grounds of ‘technicalities’ whilst a young Private found guilty of the same, was shot at dawn by firing squad. For the duration of the WWI, 15 officers sentenced to death received a Royal Pardon yet in the summer of 1916, all officers of the rank of captain and above were given an order that all cases of cowardice should be punished by death and that a medical excuse should not be tolerated. However, this was not the case if officers were found to be suffering from ‘neurasthenia’.

This presentation was well received by our members Questions followed on several points to conclude a very informative morning.

For further information Click on the link Alvin York

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