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Private John Abigail was the only member of the Norfolk Regiment to be shot for desertion in World War One.

The Norwich soldier deserted four times in England and France 鈥� the final time on the eve of the Battle of Passchendaele when he and his comrades were waiting to go 鈥渙ver the top鈥�.

It is thought family trauma and shell shock, rather than cowardice, could have led the 20-year-old to desert. He was executed by firing squad on 12 September 1917.

Private Abigail鈥檚 name is carved on a war memorial at St Augustine鈥檚 Church in Norwich and he is one of very few deserters in Britain to be recognised in this way. He received a posthumous pardon in 2006, along with 305 others who were shot at dawn.

Location: St Augustine鈥檚 Church, Norwich NR3 3BY