Pardon for Soldiers of the Great War Act 2000

Pardon for Soldiers of the Great War Act 2000 is statute law in New Zealand.[1][2][3] The act sought to remove the blight on their character of five soldiers who were unjustly executed during World War I.[4] One of the pardoned soldiers named in the act was from New Zealand's southern port town of Bluff and he is now honoured in the town's maritime museum.[5]

The pardoned soldiers

They were all awarded medals posthumously, after the act was passed.[6]

• Jack Braithwaite, Pvt, b.1882 in Dunedin. British War Medal, Victory Medal, New Zealand Certificate of Honour

• Frank Hughes, Pvt, b. 1888 in Croydon, Southland. British War Medal, Victory Medal, New Zealand Certificate of Honour

• John King, Pvt, b. 1885 in Victoria, Australia. 1914-15 Star; British War Medal; Victory Medal;New Zealand Certificate of Honour; Anzac Commemorative Medallion

• Victor Manson Spenser, Pvt, b. 1894 in Otautau, Southland. 1914-15 Star; British War Medal; Victory Medal; New Zealand Certificate of Honour; Anzac Commemorative Medallion

• John Joseph Sweeney, Pvt, b. 1879 in Sprent, Tasmania. 1914-15 Star; British War Medal; Victory Medal; New Zealand Certificate of Honour; Anzac Commemorative Medallion

See also

• List of New Zealand soldiers executed during World War I
• Shot at Dawn Memorial

References

1. "Pardon for Soldiers of the Great War Act 2000 No 29 (as at 15 September 2000), Public Act – New Zealand Legislation".
2. "Moments of truth from World War I - New Zealand Listener". 22 April 2016.
3. Lockley, Mike (17 January 2016). "World War 1 soldier executed for mutiny to be honoured at National Memorial Arboretum".
4. "World War One pardoned soldiers to be recognised with awards".
5. Devlin, Kimberley Crayton-Brown and Collette (19 November 2012). "Pardoned deserter's medals on show" – via Stuff.co.nz.
6. "WWI Pardoned Soldiers To Be Recognised With Awards". Scoop Parliament. Scoop Media. 11 July 2005. Retrieved 28 March 2018.