Pardon for Soldiers of the Great War Act 2000

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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 Act was opposed by the ACT party, which argued it was inappropriate and an insult to the memory of everyone who fought in the war.[6]

The pardoned soldiers[edit]

They were all awarded medals posthumously, after the act was passed.[7]

  • John (Jack) Braithwaite, PTE, b. 1882 in Dunedin. British War Medal, Victory Medal, New Zealand Certificate of Honour.
  • Frank Hughes, PTE, b. 1888 in Croydon, Southland. British War Medal, Victory Medal, New Zealand Certificate of Honour.
  • John King, PTE, b. 1885 in Victoria, Australia. 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, New Zealand Certificate of Honour, Anzac Commemorative Medallion.
  • Victor Manson Spencer, PTE, b. 1894 in Otautau, Southland. 1914-15 Star, British War Medal; Victory Medal, New Zealand Certificate of Honour, Anzac Commemorative Medallion.
  • John Joseph Sweeney, PTE, b. 1879 in Sprent, Tasmania. 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, New Zealand Certificate of Honour, Anzac Commemorative Medallion.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  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. ^ "Pardon for Soldiers of the Great War Bill". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Vol. 587. Parliament of New Zealand: House of Representatives. 12 September 2000.
  7. ^ "WWI Pardoned Soldiers To Be Recognised With Awards". Scoop Parliament. Scoop Media. 11 July 2005. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
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