Memorial for desertion soldier

A brass plaque bearing the name of a Black Country soldier executed for desertion during the First World War will be added to his hometown memorial within days.

Private Joseph Bateman was killed by firing squad in 1917.

He was one of 306 British soldiers shot at dawn for military offences between 1914 and 1919.

Due to the circumstances of his death – which took place on December 3 – Private Bateman's name was never put on Wordsley's war memorial.

But last year's decision to pardon all men shot for cowardice during the conflict has allowed the soldier's name finally to be added to the memorial.

Dudley Council officers say the plaque has now been completed after months of work and they are just waiting for the weather to improve for it to be placed on the monument. However, they said no official ceremony would take place.

Officers had originally planned for the name to be included on the High Street plaque in time for Remembrance Day last year – but found more work was needed than expected.

A specialist had to be found and contracted to create the plaque as a specific type of brass and lettering had to be used for the piece to fit properly on to the memorial.

Private Bateman volunteered for service in the first few weeks of the war but his service record shows he repeatedly went absent, the first time within a month of joining the 2/5 South Staffordshire Regiment.

Despite being punished, he carried on deserting and was jailed for six months.