WWI SOLDIER EXECUTED BECAUSE HE COPIED OUT SASSOON’S POETRY

New book reveals real reason why poet was shot

AT DAWN on August 25, 1917, a young soldier from the Rhondda Valley was tied to a post facing a firing squad. Minutes later 12 shots rang out and Davey Jones of the Royal Welch Fusiliers was killed.

The execution involved one of the Great War’s most famous poets and set in motion one of the most extraordinary untold tales from the conflict that claimed millions of lives.

Following his death, Davey’s brother Rhys sought vengeance on the man he felt was responsible – war poet Sigfried Sassoon.

It was previously thought Sassoon was shot in a “friendly fire” incident by a British soldier who mistook him for a German soldier near Arras, France, in 1918.

But a new book reveals exactly why he was shot – and by whom.

The story was little known outside of the Rhondda Valley until, in his mid-20s, John Hollands drove to Ferndale to visit his fiancée and meet her family.

What John, who was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery during the Korean War, learnt on the trip is the subject of his recently released book entitled The Man Who Shot Sassoon.

During Christmas celebrations in 1960 John visited the Old Comrades Club for a male-only “booze up” that saw hundreds cram into the venue.

During the evening John met Khyber Morgan – not his real name – an ex-soldier in the Welch Fusiliers.

After discussing both of their experiences in the army, Khyber led John into another room with a sign on the door labelled Veterans.

Inside was another bar and lounge occupied by wounded soldiers from the First World War.

John writes in his new book: “Everywhere I looked there were empty jacket sleeves and trouser legs, all stitched back to shoulders or hips.

“Numerous crutches and walking sticks were scattered about the place, some just lying on the floor next to the owners.

“They all wore decorations, not just ribbons but the medals, often two rows of them.”

Khyber, described as like “touring royalty”, took John around the room and introduced him to several of the veterans from the Fusiliers.

But when they reached one man sitting on his own Khyber walked straight past him. A curious Hollands asked Khyber why and he explained that the ex-soldier, Rhys Jones, hadn’t spoke a word since 1918.

Khyber, who served with mute Jones, then revealed the extraordinary story that it was Jones 617 (his regiment number) who shot Sassoon.

John writes: “Jones shot him but he didn’t kill him. He only grazed Sassoon’s skull, hardly even a wound. If he’d shot him straight between the eyes, as he intended, he wouldn’t be like he is now.”

“‘You mean they would strung him up.’

“‘No, no. It would have been hushed up. Strictly speaking he was entitled to shoot him. The brass hats would have been glad to see the back of Sassoon. It would have been just another accident, a triggerhappy sentry shooting a man returning from no-man’s-land.’

“’How can you be so sure it was intentional?’

“‘Because I saw everything that led up to it. Sassoon was a popular officer with his men but Jones 617 had a special reason for hating him.’”

After a few more pints John was about to leave when Khyber pointed to a framed photograph of Davey Jones, the identical twin of the mute man they had just met.

Khyber explained that in the Rhondda Davey Jones was “the greatest hero who ever lived”.

In a passage known as his Sol- have dier’s Declaration Sassoon admitted he was a pacifist and refused to return to war after an earlier injury.

Davey, who had autism, could remember rhyming words and struck up a strong friendship with Sassoon.

His brother Rhys was Sassoon’s runner on the front line.

In the company barracks, Sassoon thought it was a good plan for Davey to pin his declaration on a notice board – considered an act of mutiny by army bosses.

Sassoon was later sent back to the UK to be treated for “shell shock” and until he went back on his pacifist protests.

While Sassoon was away, where he met fellow war poet Wilfred Owen, Davey remained at the front.

While in the bunker Davey began copying anti-war poems Sassoon had left around into a exercise book.

John writes that when army chiefs found some of the “subversive and seditious” poems, Davey admitted it was his handwriting and was summoned to a court martial.

Despite initially pleading not guilty Davey later admitted in court that he wrote all of the poems.

The dramatic change of plea meant Davey was sentenced to death by firing squad.

John writes: “The guilty verdict came as no surprise, but the death sentence astounded everyone.