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Ted's Story

A First World War family history uncovering execution, silence, and truth

In 1916, William Wilfred “Ted” Roberts was executed by the British Army.

For decades, his name was not spoken in his family.

This book examines how his story was uncovered, why the truth remained hidden for so long, and what the official records reveal when they are finally read in full.

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About The Book

Ted’s story is not unique. He was one of 306 men executed by the British Army during the First World War. All were posthumously pardoned in 2006 under the Armed Forces Act.

This book presents a documented family history based on archive material, battalion war diaries, and family testimony and reveals:

• how Ted’s story remained hidden within one family for over sixty years

• why court-martial records were sealed and the impact this had on families

• what the official documents show when read in full

• how the Shot at Dawn campaign developed and why the pardon took so long

• what access to records changes for families seeking understanding

The book does not seek to romanticise war or rewrite history. It sets out the facts, the context in which decisions were made, and the consequences of long-term secrecy.

Why this story matters

In 2026, two anniversaries coincide. It will be twenty years since the statutory pardons were granted in 2006, and 110 years since Ted was executed in 1916.

These milestones raise important questions about transparency, historical judgement, and the long-term impact of closed records. Ted’s story provides a case study in how silence can create a family void, how assumptions can start to replace evidence, and what changes when archives are finally opened.

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