A FIRST World War soldier who was shot for cowardice is to be formally recognised on a war memorial.

Private Harry Farr of the 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment was shot in October 1916 for cowardice despite suffering severe shell shock.

Pte Farr was one of 306 soldiers shot for military offences during the conflict. His was one of several cases highlighted by The Northern Echo and, after years of campaigning, all have now received pardons from the Government.

The family of Pte Farr, who was executed aged 25, are overjoyed that his name will be engraved alongside others who died in the war.

The unveiling ceremony at the Wealdstone war memorial in north west London is set to take place next month.

The soldier's daughter, Gertrude Harris, 93, from Wealdstone, heard of the official confirmation of his pardon from her hospital bed, where she is recovering from a broken hip.

Her own daughter, Janet Booth, said: "She was delighted and so pleased that all the other men had got their pardons as well.

"The engraving ceremony is what she is really looking forward to so hopefully it will spur her on to get better."

Pte Farr's family first heard news of the pardon in August when Defence Secretary Des Browne made a U-turn on an earlier Ministry of Defence decision.

Chris Mote, leader of Harrow Council, said the engraving ceremony would primarily be a family event.

"We will have the name engraved at Wealdstone because that seems to be the most appropriate place," he said.

A council spokesman said the ceremony could take place as early as the third week of January but an exact date had not yet been set.