Credit: NUJ

A memorial to a former regional journalist who campaigned for pardons for First World War soldiers executed for desertion has been unveiled.

A bench at the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield, Staffordshire, has been dedicated to George Macintyre, who worked for Newcastle-based ncjmedia, which owns sister dailies The Chronicle and The Journal.

George worked on the Shot at Dawn campaign, which saw 306 men and boys executed during the 1914-1918 conflict given a posthumous pardon in 2006.

He also served in a number of senior positions within the National Union of Journalists, including president, before his death in November aged 62.

Chris Morley, NUJ Northern and Midlands organiser, said: “This was a really moving and apt celebration of the amazing passion and energy George put into a remarkable campaign that did so much to lift the burden of unfair shame felt by hundreds of families whose ancestors died so tragically in the First World War.

“The dedicated bench looks over the symbolic 306 wooden stakes forever standing as a tribute to these true victims of war, killed by their own side when severely traumatised and suffering incalculable stress and fatigue in battle.

“It was highly appropriate that this new symbol, both of George’s own courage and tenacity to champion an unpopular cause and his Scottish roots, had the honour of a lone piper playing who happened to be the creative artist behind the memorial.

“It was also fitting that a bottle of single malt was produced afterwards and all those attending drank a wee dram to George’s great spirit.”