Much appreciated the article “The man on the mantelpiece”, about Michael Morpurgo’s “Pte Peaceful” (TES, 1926 December).
Pte Downey was the teenager, who was allowed to celebrate Christmas, then shot at dawn on 27 December 1915. Ironic that as it was a cold morning, he was given a greatcoat to keep him warm!
Certainly no goodwill that Christmas, only an unjust execution. For further information please contact our website: www.shotatdawn.org.uk
Doreen Jansen
“Shot At Dawn” Pardons Campaign
