A SOLDIER from the North-East thought to be the real inspiration behind the TV drama the Monocled Mutineer is to be commemorated nearly 100 years after he was shot at dawn.

Although the hit-series centred on Percy Toplis, researchers believe the mutineer depicted was in fact based on Jesse Robert Short, who was executed for his part in the mutiny at Etaples, in France, in September 1917.

A corporal in the 24th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers, Short apparently incited his men to throw an officer into the river.

It has been discovered that Cpl Short’s name and that of two other soldiers involved in separate mutinies, do not feature on the “Shot at Dawn” memorial at the National Memorial Arboreturm in Staffordshire.

The memorial was created in 2000 by artist Andy DeComyn as his gift to the relatives of the 306 men that had been pardoned and features a stake for each man surrounding a statue of a blindfolded soldier.

The memorial was created before mutineers were pardoned in 2006 and campaigners have now won permission to add three stakes to the memorial. They are trying to trace Cpl Short’s relatives to play a part in a dedication ceremony October.

Cpl Short, was working as a miner at Heworth Colliery and living in Parkinson Street, Felling Gateshead, with his wife Dinah and two young children, when the First World War began.

On September 11 1917, Cpl Short was at the base camp at Etaples, where having recovered either from wounds or illness, he was undergoing re-training before being returned to the front line.

Disturbances broke out in the camp that day, possibly caused by the harsh treatment meted out by camp’s instructors, and one group of 80 soldiers carrying placards and armed with sticks marched on a bridge across the river Canache.

Cpl Short tried to persuade the soldiers to lay down their arms and referring to its commander said: “Don’t listen to that officer, That bugger ought to have a rope tied round his neck with a stone on it and be chucked into the river.”

Cpl Short was court martialled the next day, found guilty of inciting mutiny and sentenced to death. He was executed weeks later.

Campaigners will also be remembering New Zealander Private Cecil John ‘Jack’ Braithwaite, and British Gunner William Lewis, 124th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, both executed in October 1916

Military historian Richard Pursehouse, who with Lee Dent founded The Chase Project, said: “Following a meeting the National Arboretum Landscapes and Memorials Committee it has been agreed that three additional stakes can be incorporated at the site.

“Relatives of Pte Braithwaite are hoping to come over for the ceremony. We would very much like to get hold of relatives of Cpl Short to take part.”

Anyone who may related to Cpl Short should email thechaseproject@gmail.com.