By BRONWYN SELL
The Returned Services Association has dissension in its ranks over Government moves to pardon five First World War soldiers executed for desertion or mutiny.
National president David Cox said the association did not support singling out the men for exoneration when about 300 others had been disciplined, some of whom were sent back to the front line and were killed.
But many veterans are outraged at his stance, which has offended relatives of the executed men.
"He's got no authority to speak along these lines on behalf of returned service people," said Peter Campbell, who is secretary of an alliance of 32 RSA clubs in Greater Auckland. "What happened was abhorrent and we feel greatly for the living families of these people."
Prime Minister Helen Clark said on Monday that a bill would be introduced exonerating Privates Victor Spencer, Frank Hughes, John Sweeney, John King and Jack Braithwaite, who she said had probably suffered illness, shellshock or alcoholism.
Ministry of Defence files show the men were executed by firing squad in France between August 1916 and February 1918.
Private Braithwaite was executed at age 34 for joining a mutiny in a military prison where he had been jailed for escaping custody and other offences. He claimed he was innocent.
Privates King, aged 39, Hughes, 28, and Spencer, 23, were shot for repeatedly being absent without leave. Private Spencer had been sent back to the front line after being wounded.
Private Sweeney, 37, went missing from the trenches of Armentieres when he was due on duty. He claimed he had lost his unit.
Private Braithwaite's nephew, David Braithwaite, said he had a lot of respect for the association and regretted its opposition.
"I believe that the RSA should be supporting the men and women who have served our country," he said.
Fred Ryan, second cousin of Private Spencer and a member of the Bluff RSA, said many veterans he had spoken to disagreed with the association's stance.
Mr Cox said yesterday that the stance was the official position of the association and had been decided at national level by delegates representing clubs.
He was not opposed to the men being pardoned, but said it would be inequitable to pardon five men and ignore hundreds of others who were disciplined.
"You can't forget about the rest. If you're going to do it for one, then you must do it for all."
Pt Chevalier RSA president Peter Pitman said Mr Cox's views did not reflect members' opinions.
Steve Matheson, a welfare officer for the Auckland RSA, said the club supported the pardons.
"Everyone gets scared in those situations and everyone has a point at which they say 'enough'."
Titirangi RSA president Matthew McMillan was angry at Mr Cox's comments and had received many complaints about them.
"We support the pardons. To come out and make this statement a week before Poppy Day is inappropriate."
Veterans divided on execution pardons
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