AN MP is calling on the Government to pardon the 306 servicemen shot for desertion during the First World War after a statue was unveiled in their memory.

During an emotional ceremony attended by war veterans and others paying their respects, a memorial poignantly entitled Shot at Dawn, was unveiled at the National Arboretum in Lichfield, Staffordshire.

The 10ft high statue is modelled on 17-year-old Private Herbert Burden, who lied about his age to join the army and was then shot for desertion. It was unveiled by 87-year-old Gertrude Harris whose father, Private Henry Farr was one of those executed by the British Army.

Greg Pope, MP for Hyndburn, fought for more than five years to gain a posthumous pardon for the men and is once again concentrating his efforts on the campaign after leaving the Whips office.

He said: "I believe they should be pardoned. It is an appropriate time for the Ministry of Defence to look at the issue again. This is a stain on the British Army." The memorial, a reminder of the injustices that people suffered during the conflict, also features a semi-circle of stakes recording the names of British and Commonwealth servicemen who paid the ultimate price for desertion.

Mr Pope added: "Let's not forget that the vast majority of these men volunteered, fought bravely and cracked under the stress of the Western Front."

It is thought that around 38 soldiers from Lancashire regiments were executed by their own army. One of those soldiers was Sgt. Harry Ashton from Blackburn who, despite being wounded twice, was sent back to the front line.

Weary from the carnage he witnessed in Greece, he missed a battle which claimed the lives of more than 100 of his pals. His punishment for the desertion was to be gunned down at dawn by a firing squad. He was just 20 years old. Ironically, the report of his death in the Blackburn Times included the epitaph: 'He was held in high esteem by all who knew him.' Mr Pope said: "During my time with the Whips office I was unable to speak in the House of Commons. I will write to the State Secretary for Defence for the pardon to be reviewed.

"It is widely acknowledged that most of the soldiers were executed without proper trials, there was no right of appeal and most of them were suffering from what is now known as post-traumatic stress disorder. We have a moral responsibility to the men who were shot and their families."

John Hardiman of the Royal British Legion, Lancashire was pleased with the recognition the statue would bring.

He said: "We are delighted public awareness has been raised."