King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

		King's Own Royal Regiment Museum Lancaster
HOME Museum & Collections Sales Donations Events Contact Us REGIMENTAL HISTORY 17th Century 18th Century 19th Century 20th Century First World War Second World War Actions & Movements Battle Honours FAMILY HISTORY Resources Further Reading PHOTO GALLERY ENQUIRIES FURTHER READING LINKS © Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum. You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images.		141 Days: The Battle of the Somme Private John Sloan – Shot at Dawn Not every soldier that died in the summer of 1916 died as a result of enemy actions. Private John Sloan of the 1st/4th Battalion was executed for desertion on 16th July. Private Sloan was a pre-war Territorial soldier. He had been serving in support trenches in June 1916 before being sent to a rear area on a course of instruction. During his training, which involved bombing with hand grenades, an eyewitness saw Private Sloan discard his equipment and make off. Six days later he was arrested in Rouen and stated that he had a pass to travel to the UK. He was tried and found guilt of desertion and executed in the small village of Barley, where he is buried in the French Military Cemetery. Grave of Private John Sloan, number 3563, 1st/4th Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment. Executed 16th July 1916. Buried at Barley French Military Cemetery. Next: Bazentin Le Petit Supported by the Sir John Fisher Foundation and the Army Museums Ogilby Trust © Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum. You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images. Only a proportion of our collections are on display at anyone time. Certain items are on loan for display in other institutions. An appointment is required to consult any of our collections which are held in store.