Shot at Dawn?: A recreation of the Court Martial of Willie Stones and the 'DLI 6'

Published on 10 September 2021

This is a recreation - by WFA volunteers - of two WW1 courts martial. The first is the case of Willie Stones (who famously claimed he blocked the trench with his rifle to stop pursuing Germans) and the second is a "mass" court martial of six men from the DLI.

These two courts martial were recreated "back to back" and enable us to see how these 'Field General Courts Martial' were carried out.

This is not fictionalized but the exact, verbatim, account of the events at two 'trials' which took place in 1916 extracted from the transcipts of the courts martial. 

At the end of the proceedings, we ask: would you consider the men on trial here were guilty? Should they have been executed? If you are in any way interested in the subject of 'Shot at Dawn' cases, this is not to be missed.

Shot at Dawn?: A recreation of the Court Martial of Willie Stones and the 'DLI 6'
Key benefits of membership

Becoming a member of The Western Front Association (WFA) offers a wealth of resources and opportunities for those passionate about the history of the First World War. Here's just three of the benefits we offer:

Bulletin Magazine Icon
Bulletin Magazine

This magazine provides updates on WW1 related news, WFA activities and events.

Virtual Battlefield Tours Icon
Virtual battlefield tours

Access online tours of significant WWI sites, providing immense learning experience.

Podcasts Ebinars Icon
Podcasts

Listen to over 300 episodes of the "Mentioned in Dispatches" podcast.

Other Articles

James Marshall VC
22 December 2025

The Making of a Hero: James Neville Marshall VC

Read more
Sambre Canal. Surrey Live
21 December 2025

Not 'Coming up with the rations': The award of the final wartime second bar to the MM

Read more
01. Marko, P.61
17 December 2025

Le Roi des Montagnes, the French, and Floatplanes

Read more
The Oak & Laurel (1)
17 December 2025

The Oak and Laurel

Read more
1.25Th Cyclists
5 December 2025

From Putney Bridge to Jallianwala Bagh: The 1/25th County of London Cyclists 1914-1919

Read more